Systems and methods for providing video on demand in an intelligent television

ABSTRACT

An intelligent television can provide various interfaces for providing video-on-demand (VOD). The user interfaces include unique visual representations and organizations that allow the user to utilize the intelligent television more easily and more effectively. Particularly, the user interfaces pertain to the display of VOD content and better organizations thereof. Further, the user interfaces provide unique process of transitioning between the VOD content.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefits of and priority, under 35U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/684,672filed Aug. 17, 2012, “Smart TV”; Ser. No. 61/702,650 filed Sep. 18,2012, “Smart TV”; Ser. No. 61/697,710 filed Sep. 6, 2012, “Social TV”;Ser. No. 61/700,182 filed Sep. 12, 2012, “Social TV Roadmap”; Ser. No.61/736,692 filed Dec. 13, 2012, “SmartTV”; Ser. No. 61/798,821 filedMar. 15, 2013, “SmartTV”; Ser. No. 61/804,942 filed Mar. 25, 2013,“SmartTV”; Ser. No. 61/804,998 filed Mar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV”; Ser. No.61/804,971 filed Mar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV”; Ser. No. 61/804,990 filedMar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV”; Ser. No. 61/805,003 filed Mar. 25, 2013,“SmartTV”; Ser. No. 61/805,053 filed Mar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV”; Ser. No.61/805,030 filed Mar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV”; Ser. No. 61/805,027 filedMar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV”; Ser. No. 61/805,042 filed Mar. 25, 2013,“SmartTV”; and Ser. No. 61/805,038 filed Mar. 25, 2013, “SmartTV.” Eachof the aforementioned documents is incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety for all that they teach and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Consolidation of device features or technological convergence is in anincreasing trend. Technological convergence describes the tendency fordifferent technological systems to evolve toward performing similartasks. As people use more devices, the need to carry those devices,charge those devices, update software on those devices, etc. becomesmore cumbersome. To compensate for these problems, technology companieshave been integrating features from different devices into one or twomulti-functional devices. For example, cellular phones are now capableof accessing the Internet, taking photographs, providing calendarfunctions, etc.

The consolidation trend is now affecting the design and functionality ofdevices generally used in the home. For example, audio receivers canaccess the Internet; digital video recorders can store or provide accessto digital photographs, etc. The television in home audio/video systemsremains a cornerstone device because the display function cannot beintegrated into other devices. As such, consolidating home devices leadsto integrating features and functionality into the television. Theemergence of the Smart Television (Smart TV) is evidence of the trend toconsolidate functionality into the television.

A Smart TV is generally conceived as a device that integrates access tothe Internet and Web 2.0 features into television sets. The Smart TVrepresents the trend of technological convergence between computers andtelevision sets. The Smart TV generally focuses on online interactivemedia, Internet TV, on-demand streaming media, and generally does notfocus on traditional broadcast media. Unfortunately, most Smart TVs haveyet to provide seamless and intuitive user interfaces for navigatingand/or executing the various features of the Smart TV. As such, thereare still issues with the consolidation of features and the presentationof these features in Smart TVs.

SUMMARY

There is a need for an Intelligent TV with intuitive user interfaces andwith seamless user interaction capability. These and other needs areaddressed by the various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations ofthe present disclosure. Also, while the disclosure is presented in termsof exemplary embodiments, it should be appreciated that individualaspects of the disclosure can be separately claimed.

A method for providing video-on-demand (VOD) in an intelligenttelevision, the method comprising: receiving, by a processor of theintelligent television, content for VOD; determining metadatacharacteristics for the content; storing the metadata characteristicswith the content in a database for VOD content; and providing a firstview of the VOD content based on the metadata characteristics.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the metadatacharacteristics include a location at which the content was created.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the metadatacharacteristics include a time at which the content was created.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the metadatacharacteristics include a genre associated with the content.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the first view is sortedbased on at least one of the metadata characteristics.

An aspect of the above method further comprises determining if auser-defined criteria exists for organizing the content.

An aspect of the above method further comprises: receiving auser-defined criteria; and storing the received user-defined criteria.

An aspect of the above method further comprises sorting the contentbased on the received user-defined criteria.

An aspect of the above method further comprises providing a second viewof the content based on the sort of the content with the receiveduser-defined criteria.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the user-defined criteriainclude one or more of a favorite or adult-only designation.

An intelligent television system comprising: a memory operable to storevideo-on-demand (VOD) content; a processor in communication with thememory, the processor operable to: execute a VOD data service operableto: receive content for VOD; determine metadata characteristics for thecontent; store the metadata characteristics with the content in adatabase for VOD content; and execute a user interface application incommunication with the VOD data service, the user interface applicationoperable to provide a first view of the VOD content based on themetadata characteristics.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe metadata characteristics include one or more of a location at whichthe content was created, a time at which the content was created, or agenre associated with the content.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe first view is sorted based on at least one of the metadatacharacteristics.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe VOD data service is further operable to: determine if a user-definedcriteria exists for organizing the content; and sort the content basedon the received user-defined criteria.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe user-defined criteria include one or more of a favorite oradult-only designation.

A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor executableinstructions that cause a computing system to execute a method, theinstructions comprising: instructions to receive content for VOD;instructions to determine metadata characteristics for the content;instructions to store the metadata characteristics with the content in adatabase for VOD content; and instructions to provide a first view ofthe VOD content based on the metadata characteristics.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein themetadata characteristics include one or more of a location at which thecontent was created, a time at which the content was created, or a genreassociated with the content.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein thefirst view is sorted based on at least one of the metadatacharacteristics.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium further comprisesinstructions to: determine if a user-defined criteria exists fororganizing the content; and sort the content based on the receiveduser-defined criteria.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein theuser-defined criteria include one or more of a favorite or adult-onlydesignation.

A method for providing video-on-demand (VOD) in an intelligenttelevision, the method comprising: receiving, by a processor of theintelligent television, a first selection for VOD content; in responseto the first selection, providing a master view of VOD content;receiving a second selection for VOD content; in response to the secondselection, providing a collection view of the VOD content; receiving athird selection for VOD content; and in response to the third selection,providing either a detail view or a digest view of the VOD content.

An aspect of the above method further comprises: determining if theselection in the collection view is for a series or one of a movie orsingle show; if the selection in the collection view is for a series,providing the digest view; and if the selection in the collection viewis for one of a movie or single show, providing a detail view.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the digest view providesa listing of two or more episodes associated with the series.

An aspect of the above method further comprises: receiving a fourthselection of an episode in the digest view; and in response to thefourth selection, providing a player to present the episode to the user.

An aspect of the above method further comprises: receiving a fifthselection of a user interface device to play the movie or single show;and in response to the fifth selection, providing a player to presentthe movie or single show to the user.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein a navigation to view VODcontent is an ordered set of user interfaces, and wherein the orderincludes a master view at a top level, a collection view at a secondlevel, either a digest view or detail view at a third level, and aplayer view at a fourth and bottom level.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein a master view includes atleast two user-selectable devices to view a collection view based on oneof two or more criteria.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the master view includesa navigation bar to select between types of content.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the types of contentinclude showcase content, movies content, television series content, orvariety content.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the master layoutincludes user-selectable devices for viewing a collection of contentbased on special topics, newest content, top watched content,recommended content, or favorites content.

An intelligent television system comprising: a memory operable to storevideo-on-demand (VOD) content; a processor in communication with thememory, the processor operable to: execute a user interface applicationoperable to: receive a first selection for VOD content; in response tothe first selection, provide a master view of VOD content; receive asecond selection for VOD content; in response to the second selection,provide a collection view of the VOD content; receive a third selectionfor VOD content; and in response to the third selection, provide eithera detail view or a digest view of the VOD content.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe user interface application is further operable to: determine if theselection in the collection view is for a series or one of a movie orsingle show; if the selection in the collection view is for a series,provide the digest view, wherein the digest view provides a listing oftwo or more episodes associated with the series; if the selection in thecollection view is for one of a movie or single show, provide a detailview; receive a fourth selection of an episode in the digest view; andin response to the fourth selection, provide a player to present theepisode to the user.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe user interface application is further operable to: receive a fifthselection of a user interface device to play the movie or single show;and in response to the fifth selection, provide a player to present themovie or single show to the user.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes wherein anavigation to view VOD content is an ordered set of user interfaces, andwherein the order includes a master view at a top level, a collectionview at a second level, either a digest view or detail view at a thirdlevel, and a player view at a fourth and bottom level.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes wherein amaster view includes at least two user-selectable devices to view acollection view based on one of two or more criteria, wherein the masterview includes a navigation bar to select between types of content,wherein the types of content include showcase content, movies content,television series content, or variety content, and wherein the masterlayout includes user-selectable devices for viewing a collection ofcontent based on special topics, newest content, top watched content,recommended content, or favorites content.

A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor executableinstructions that cause a computing system to execute a method, theinstructions comprising: instructions to receive a first selection forVOD content; in response to the first selection, instructions to providea master view of VOD content; instructions to receive a second selectionfor VOD content; in response to the second selection, instructions toprovide a collection view of the VOD content; instructions to receive athird selection for VOD content; and in response to the third selection,instructions to provide either a detail view or a digest view of the VODcontent.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium further comprisesinstructions to: determine if the selection in the collection view isfor a series or one of a movie or single show; if the selection in thecollection view is for a series, provide the digest view, wherein thedigest view provides a listing of two or more episodes associated withthe series; if the selection in the collection view is for one of amovie or single show, provide a detail view; receive a fourth selectionof an episode in the digest view; and in response to the fourthselection, provide a player to present the episode to the user.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium further comprisesinstructions to: receive a fifth selection of a user interface device toplay the movie or single show; and in response to the fifth selection,provide a player to present the movie or single show to the user.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein anavigation to view VOD content is an ordered set of user interfaces, andwherein the order includes a master view at a top level, a collectionview at a second level, either a digest view or detail view at a thirdlevel, and a player view at a fourth and bottom level.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein amaster view includes at least two user-selectable devices to view acollection view based on one of two or more criteria, wherein the masterview includes a navigation bar to select between types of content,wherein the types of content include showcase content, movies content,television series content, or variety content, and wherein the masterlayout includes user-selectable devices for viewing a collection ofcontent based on special topics, newest content, top watched content,recommended content, or favorites content.

A method for providing video-on-demand (VOD) in an intelligenttelevision, the method comprising: receiving, by a processor of theintelligent television, a selection for VOD content; providing a firstuser interface having a selection for one or more of showcase content,movie content, television content, or variety content; receiving asecond selection; determining whether the second selection is forshowcase content, movie content, television content, or variety content;and based on the determination, provide a second user interface havingcontent associated showcase content, movie content, television content,or variety content.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the selections forshowcase content, movie content, television content, or variety contentare provided in a navigation bar.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the second selection isin the navigation bar.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein a third user interface isassociated with showcase content, wherein the third user interfaceincludes first set of user-selectable devices for one or more of lastviewed content, top watched content, high definition content, or specialtopics content.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein a fourth user interfaceis associated with television content, wherein the fourth user interfaceincludes second set of user-selectable devices for one or more of newcontent, top watched content, recommended content, or special topicscontent.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein a fifth user interface isassociated with variety content, wherein the fifth user interfaceincludes third set of user-selectable devices for one or more of newcontent, top watched content, recommended content, or special topicscontent.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein a sixth user interface isassociated with movie content, wherein the sixth user interface includesfourth set of user-selectable devices for one or more of new content,top watched content, recommended content, or special topics content.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein a first user interface isa master view of all content.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the first user interfaceincludes fifth set of user-selectable devices for one or more of lastwatched content, top watched content, high definition content, orspecial topics content.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein at least oneuser-selectable device in the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth setof user-selectable devices includes revolving thumbnails associated withat least two different items of content.

An intelligent television system comprising: a memory operable to storevideo-on-demand (VOD) content; a processor in communication with thememory, the processor operable to: execute a user interface applicationoperable to: receive a selection for VOD content; provide a first userinterface have a selection for one or more of showcase content, moviecontent, television content, or variety content; receive a secondselection; determine whether the second selection is for showcasecontent, movie content, television content, or variety content; andbased on the determination, provide a second user interface have contentassociated showcase content, movie content, television content, orvariety content.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe selections for showcase content, movie content, television content,or variety content are provided in a navigation bar, and wherein thesecond selection is in the navigation bar.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes wherein athird user interface is associated with showcase content, wherein thethird user interface includes first set of user-selectable devices forone or more of last viewed content, top watched content, high definitioncontent, or special topics content, wherein a fourth user interface isassociated with television content, wherein the fourth user interfaceincludes second set of user-selectable devices for one or more of newcontent, top watched content, recommended content, or special topicscontent, wherein a fifth user interface is associated with varietycontent, wherein the fifth user interface includes third set ofuser-selectable devices for one or more of new content, top watchedcontent, recommended content, or special topics content, and wherein asixth user interface is associated with movie content, wherein the sixthuser interface includes fourth set of user-selectable devices for one ormore of new content, top watched content, recommended content, orspecial topics content.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes wherein afirst user interface is a master view of all content, and wherein thefirst user interface includes fifth set of user-selectable devices forone or more of last watched content, top watched content, highdefinition content, or special topics content.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes wherein atleast one user-selectable device in the first, second, third, fourth, orfifth set of user-selectable devices includes revolving thumbnailsassociated with at least two different items of content.

A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor executableinstructions that cause a computing system to execute a method, theinstructions comprising: instructions to receive a selection for VODcontent; instructions to provide a first user interface have a selectionfor one or more of showcase content, movie content, television content,or variety content; instructions to receive a second selection;instructions to determine whether the second selection is for showcasecontent, movie content, television content, or variety content; andbased on the determination, instructions to provide a second userinterface have content associated showcase content, movie content,television content, or variety content.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein theselections for showcase content, movie content, television content, orvariety content are provided in a navigation bar, and wherein the secondselection is in the navigation bar.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein a thirduser interface is associated with showcase content, wherein the thirduser interface includes first set of user-selectable devices for one ormore of last viewed content, top watched content, high definitioncontent, or special topics content, wherein a fourth user interface isassociated with television content, wherein the fourth user interfaceincludes second set of user-selectable devices for one or more of newcontent, top watched content, recommended content, or special topicscontent, wherein a fifth user interface is associated with varietycontent, wherein the fifth user interface includes third set ofuser-selectable devices for one or more of new content, top watchedcontent, recommended content, or special topics content, and wherein asixth user interface is associated with movie content, wherein the sixthuser interface includes fourth set of user-selectable devices for one ormore of new content, top watched content, recommended content, orspecial topics content.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein a firstuser interface is a master view of all content, and wherein the firstuser interface includes fifth set of user-selectable devices for one ormore of last watched content, top watched content, high definitioncontent, or special topics content.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein atleast one user-selectable device in the first, second, third, fourth, orfifth set of user-selectable devices includes revolving thumbnailsassociated with at least two different items of content.

A method for providing video-on-demand (VOD) in an intelligenttelevision, the method comprising: providing a first collection view ofVOD content; receiving, by a processor of the intelligent television, afirst selection to filter the VOD content; determining contentapplicable to the received selection; and providing a second collectionview of the filtered content.

An aspect of the above method further comprises determining if the firstselection is a last filter selection.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein if the first selection isnot the last filter selection, further comprising: receiving, by aprocessor of the intelligent television, a second selection to filterthe VOD content; determining content applicable to the second receivedselection; and providing a third collection view of the filteredcontent.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein if the first selection isnot the last filter selection, further comprising: receiving a thirdselection of an item of content in the second collection view; andproviding a detail view of the selected content.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the first selection tofilter includes a filter criteria.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the filter criteria is alocation where the content was made.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the filter criteria is ayear at which the content was made.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the filter criteria is agenre associated with the content.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the first criteriainclude two or more of the location, the year, and the genre.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the detail view includesa description portion and a user-selectable device to play the content.

An intelligent television system comprising: a memory operable to storevideo-on-demand (VOD) content; a processor in communication with thememory, the processor operable to: execute a user interface applicationoperable to: provide a first collection view of VOD content; receive afirst selection to filter the VOD content; determine content applicableto the received selection; and provide a second collection view of thefiltered content.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe user interface application is further operable to: wherein if thefirst selection is not the last filter selection, receive, by aprocessor of the intelligent television, a second selection to filterthe VOD content; determine content applicable to the second receivedselection; provide a third collection view of the filtered content;wherein if the first selection is not the last filter selection, receivea third selection of an item of content in the second collection view;and provide a detail view of the selected content.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe first selection to filter includes a filter criteria.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe filter criteria is one of a location where the content was made, ayear at which the content was made, or a genre associated with thecontent.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe first criteria include two or more of the location, the year, andthe genre.

A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor executableinstructions that cause a computing system to execute a method, theinstructions comprising: instructions to provide a first collection viewof VOD content; instructions to receive a first selection to filter theVOD content; instructions to determine content applicable to thereceived selection; and instructions to provide a second collection viewof the filtered content.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium further comprisesinstructions to: wherein if the first selection is not the last filterselection, receive, by a processor of the intelligent television, asecond selection to filter the VOD content; determine content applicableto the second received selection; provide a third collection view of thefiltered content; wherein if the first selection is not the last filterselection, receive a third selection of an item of content in the secondcollection view; and provide a detail view of the selected content.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein thefirst selection to filter includes a filter criteria.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein thefilter criteria is one of a location where the content was made, a yearat which the content was made, or a genre associated with the content.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein thefirst criteria include two or more of the location, the year, and thegenre.

A method for providing video-on-demand (VOD) in an intelligenttelevision, the method comprising: receiving, by a processor of theintelligent television, a filter criteria; providing a catalog view ofone or more television series associated with the filter criteria;receiving a selection of a television series from the catalog view;determining if the television series includes one season; and if thereis only one season, providing a first digest view of the season.

An aspect of the above method further comprises, if there is more thanone season, providing a second digest view having two or more seasons indate order.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the two or more seasonsare ordered from most recent season to least recent season.

An aspect of the above method further comprises determining if theseason is fully archived.

An aspect of the above method further comprises if the season is fullyarchived, providing the series view with two or more episodes with afirst date order.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the first date order isfrom first episode to last episode.

An aspect of the above method further comprises if the season is fullyarchived, providing the series view with two or more episodes with asecond date order.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the second date order isfrom most recent episode to oldest episode.

An aspect of the above method further comprises receiving a secondselection of an episode.

An aspect of the above method further comprises playing the episode.

An intelligent television system comprising: a memory operable to storevideo-on-demand (VOD) content; a processor in communication with thememory, the processor operable to: execute a user interface applicationoperable to: receive a filter criteria; provide a catalog view of one ormore television series associated with the filter criteria; receive aselection of a television series from the catalog view; determine if thetelevision series includes one season; and if there is only one season,provide a first digest view of the season.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe user interface application is further operable to, if there is morethan one season, provide a second digest view having two or more seasonsin date order, wherein the two or more seasons are ordered from mostrecent season to least recent season.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe user interface application is further operable to: determine if theseason is fully archived; and if the season is fully archived providethe series view with two or more episodes with a first date order,wherein the first date order is from first episode to last episode.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe user interface application is further operable to, if the season isfully archived, provide the series view with two or more episodes with asecond date order, wherein the second date order is from most recentepisode to oldest episode.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe user interface application is further operable to: receive a secondselection of an episode; and play the episode.

A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor executableinstructions that cause a computing system to execute a method, theinstructions comprising: instructions to receive a filter criteria;instructions to provide a catalog view of one or more television seriesassociated with the filter criteria; instructions to receive a selectionof a television series from the catalog view; instructions to determineif the television series includes one season; and if there is only oneseason, instructions to provide a first digest view of the season.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium further comprisesinstructions to if there is more than one season, provide a seconddigest view having two or more seasons in date order, wherein the two ormore seasons are ordered from most recent season to least recent season.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium further comprisesinstructions to: determine if the season is fully archived; and if theseason is fully archived provide the series view with two or moreepisodes with a first date order, wherein the first date order is fromfirst episode to last episode.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium further comprisesinstructions to, if the season is fully archived, provide the seriesview with two or more episodes with a second date order, wherein thesecond date order is from most recent episode to oldest episode.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium further comprisesinstructions to: receive a second selection of an episode; and play theepisode.

A method for providing one of two types of user interfaces in anintelligent television, the method comprising: receiving, by a processorof the intelligent television, a filter criteria; providing a catalogview of one or more television series associated with the filtercriteria; receiving a selection of a television series from the catalogview; determining if the television series includes one season; if thereis only one season, providing a first digest view of the season;receiving a second selection of an episode; and playing the episode in aseries player including a user-selectable device to navigate to at leastone of a next episode or a previous episode.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the series playerincludes a playback control.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the user-selectabledevice is associated with the playback control.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the playback control isin a footer.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein a first user-selectabledevice for the previous episode is provided to a left of the playbackcontrol in the footer.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein a second user-selectabledevice for the next episode is provided to a right of the playbackcontrol in the footer.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the playback controlincludes selections to rewind the episode, forward the episode, play theepisode, and pause the episode.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the first and seconduser-selectable devices include thumbnails representing the previous andnext episode.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the first and seconduser-selectable devices include names for the previous and next episode.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein selecting the first orsecond user-selectable devices begins a playback of the previous or nextepisode.

An intelligent television system comprising: a memory operable to storevideo-on-demand (VOD) content; a processor in communication with thememory, the processor operable to: execute a user interface applicationoperable to: receive, by a processor of the intelligent television, afilter criteria; provide a catalog view of one or more television seriesassociated with the filter criteria; receive a selection of a televisionseries from the catalog view; determine if the television seriesincludes one season; if there is only one season, provide a first digestview of the season; receive a second selection of an episode; and playthe episode in a series player including a user-selectable device tonavigate to at least one of a next episode or a previous episode.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe series player includes a playback control, wherein theuser-selectable device is associated with the playback control, andwherein the playback control is in a footer.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes wherein afirst user-selectable device for the previous episode is provided to aleft of the playback control in the footer, wherein a seconduser-selectable device for the next episode is provided to a right ofthe playback control in the footer, and wherein the playback controlincludes selections to rewind the episode, forward the episode, play theepisode, and pause the episode.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe first and second user-selectable devices include thumbnailsrepresenting the previous and next episode, and wherein the first andsecond user-selectable devices include names for the previous and nextepisode.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinselecting the first or second user-selectable devices begins a playbackof the previous or next episode.

A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor executableinstructions that cause a computing system to execute a method, theinstructions comprising: instructions to receive, by a processor of theintelligent television, a filter criteria; instructions to provide acatalog view of one or more television series associated with the filtercriteria; instructions to receive a selection of a television seriesfrom the catalog view; instructions to determine if the televisionseries includes one season; if there is only one season, instructions toprovide a first digest view of the season; instructions to receive asecond selection of an episode; and instructions to play the episode ina series player including a user-selectable device to navigate to atleast one of a next episode or a previous episode.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein theseries player includes a playback control, wherein the user-selectabledevice is associated with the playback control, and wherein the playbackcontrol is in a footer.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein a firstuser-selectable device for the previous episode is provided to a left ofthe playback control in the footer, wherein a second user-selectabledevice for the next episode is provided to a right of the playbackcontrol in the footer, and wherein the playback control includesselections to rewind the episode, forward the episode, play the episode,and pause the episode.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein thefirst and second user-selectable devices include thumbnails representingthe previous and next episode, and wherein the first and seconduser-selectable devices include names for the previous and next episode.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes whereinselecting the first or second user-selectable devices begins a playbackof the previous or next episode.

A method for providing video-on-demand (VOD) in an intelligenttelevision, the method comprising: providing, by a processor of theintelligent television, a catalog view of two or more items of content;receiving a selection to sort the items of content based on a watchedstatus; and providing a second catalog view where two or more items ofcontent are presented, wherein the presented items of content have theselected watch status.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the selection is madewith a watched toggle.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the watched status is anot watched status.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the presented items ofcontent have not been viewed.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the watched status is apartially watched status.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the presented items ofcontent have been partially viewed.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the watched status is afully watched status.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the presented items ofcontent have been fully viewed.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the watched toggle isassociated with a hot button key in the catalog view and the secondcatalog view.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the watched toggle isassociated with a remote hot button key on a remote control.

An intelligent television system comprising: a memory operable to storevideo-on-demand (VOD) content; a processor in communication with thememory, the processor operable to: execute a user interface applicationoperable to: provide a catalog view of two or more items of content;receive a selection to sort the items of content based on a watchedstatus; and provide a second catalog view where two or more items ofcontent are presented, wherein the presented items of content have theselected watch status.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe selection is made with a watched toggle, wherein the watched toggleis associated with a hot button key in the catalog view and the secondcatalog view, and wherein the watched toggle is associated with a remotehot button key on a remote control.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe watched status is a not watched status, and wherein the presenteditems of content have not been viewed.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe watched status is a partially watched status, and wherein thepresented items of content have been partially viewed.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe watched status is a fully watched status, and wherein the presenteditems of content have been fully viewed.

A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor executableinstructions that cause a computing system to execute a method, theinstructions comprising: instructions to provide a catalog view of twoor more items of content; instructions to receive a selection to sortthe items of content based on a watched status; and instructions toprovide a second catalog view where two or more items of content arepresented, wherein the presented items of content have the selectedwatch status.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein theselection is made with a watched toggle, wherein the watched toggle isassociated with a hot button key in the catalog view and the secondcatalog view, and wherein the watched toggle is associated with a remotehot button key on a remote control.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein thewatched status is a not watched status, and wherein the presented itemsof content have not been viewed.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein thewatched status is a partially watched status, and wherein the presenteditems of content have been partially viewed.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein thewatched status is a fully watched status, and wherein the presenteditems of content have been fully viewed.

A method for providing video-on-demand (VOD) in an intelligenttelevision, the method comprising: providing, by a processor of theintelligent television, a catalog view for an item of content; receivinga selection to play content; determining if a user has previouslywatched the content; and if the user has previously watched the content,prompting the user if the user desires to resume watching the content.

An aspect of the above method further comprises if the user has notpreviously watched the content, playing the content from a beginning ofthe content.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein a watch status for thecontent is stored in a database.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the intelligenttelevision retrieves the watch status to determine if the userpreviously watched the content.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the watch status isassociated with the content in the database.

An aspect of the above method further comprises receiving a playbackcontrols selection.

An aspect of the above method further comprises, in response toreceiving the playback controls selection, providing the playbackcontrols for a predetermined amount of time.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the playback controls arein a footer.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein a first user-selectabledevice for the previous episode is provided to a left of the playbackcontrols in the footer, wherein a second user-selectable device for thenext episode is provided to a right of the playback controls in thefooter.

An aspect of the above method includes wherein the playback controlsincludes selections to rewind the episode, forward the episode, play theepisode, and pause the episode.

An intelligent television system comprising: a memory operable to storevideo-on-demand (VOD) content; a processor in communication with thememory, the processor operable to: execute a user interface applicationoperable to: provide, by a processor of the intelligent television, acatalog view for an item of content; receive a selection to playcontent; determine if a user has previously watched the content; and ifthe user has previously watched the content, prompt the user if the userdesires to resume watching the content.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe user interface application is further operable to, if the user hasnot previously watched the content, play the content from a beginning ofthe content.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes wherein awatch status for the content is stored in a database, wherein theintelligent television retrieves the watch status to determine if theuser previously watched the content, and wherein the watch status isassociated with the content in the database.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe user interface application is further operable to: receive aplayback controls selection; and in response to receiving the playbackcontrols selection, provide the playback controls for a predeterminedamount of time.

An aspect of the above intelligent television system includes whereinthe playback controls are in a footer, wherein a first user-selectabledevice for the previous content is provided to a left of the playbackcontrols in the footer, wherein a second user-selectable device for thenext content is provided to a right of the playback controls in thefooter, and wherein the playback controls include selections to rewindthe content, forward the content, play the content, and pause thecontent.

A computer readable medium having stored thereon processor executableinstructions that cause a computing system to execute a method, theinstructions comprising: instructions to provide, by a processor of theintelligent television, a catalog view for an item of content; receive aselection to play content; determine if a user has previously watchedthe content; and if the user has previously watched the content, promptthe user if the user desires to resume watching the content.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein theuser interface application is further operable to, if the user has notpreviously watched the content, play the content from a beginning of thecontent.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein a watchstatus for the content is stored in a database, wherein the intelligenttelevision retrieves the watch status to determine if the userpreviously watched the content, and wherein the watch status isassociated with the content in the database.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium further comprisesinstructions to: receive a playback controls selection; and in responseto receiving the playback controls selection, provide the playbackcontrols for a predetermined amount of time.

An aspect of the above computer readable medium includes wherein theplayback controls are in a footer, wherein a first user-selectabledevice for the previous content is provided to a left of the playbackcontrols in the footer, wherein a second user-selectable device for thenext content is provided to a right of the playback controls in thefooter, and wherein the playback controls include selections to rewindthe content, forward the content, play the content, and pause thecontent.

The systems and methods herein provide new user interfaces for providingVOD with the Intelligent TV. The user interfaces have an intuitivelayout, structure, organization, and methodology. Thus, the user canmore easily learn and navigate the options associated with VOD with theIntelligent TV.

The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-endedexpressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. Forexample, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at leastone of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B,or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. Assuch, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can beused interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms“comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.

The term “automatic” and variations thereof, as used herein, refers toany process or operation done without material human input when theprocess or operation is performed. However, a process or operation canbe automatic, even though performance of the process or operation usesmaterial or immaterial human input, if the input is received beforeperformance of the process or operation. Human input is deemed to bematerial if such input influences how the process or operation will beperformed. Human input that consents to the performance of the processor operation is not deemed to be “material.”

A “blog” (a blend of the term web log) is a type of website or part of awebsite supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogsare usually maintained by an individual with regular entries ofcommentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphicsor video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.

A “blogging service” is a blog-publishing service that allows private ormulti-user blogs with time-stamped entries.

The term “cable TV” refers to a system of distributing televisionprograms to subscribers via radio frequency (RF) signals transmittedthrough coaxial cables or light pulses through fiber-optic cables. Thiscontrasts with traditional broadcast television (terrestrial television)in which the television signal is transmitted over the air by radiowaves and received by a television antenna attached to the television.

The term “channel” or “television channel,” as used herein, can be aphysical or virtual channel over which a television station ortelevision network is distributed. A physical cannel in analogtelevision can be an amount of bandwidth, typically 6, 7, or 8 MHz, thatoccupies a predetermine channel frequency. A virtual channel is arepresentation, in cable or satellite television, of a data stream for aparticular television media provider (e.g., CDS, TNT, HBO, etc.).

The term “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, refers to anytangible storage and/or transmission medium that participate inproviding instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium maytake many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media,volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, forexample, NVRAM, or magnetic or optical disks. Volatile media includesdynamic memory, such as main memory. Common forms of computer-readablemedia include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, magneto-optical medium, aCD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any otherphysical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, aFLASH-EPROM, a solid state medium like a memory card, any other memorychip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any othermedium from which a computer can read. A digital file attachment toe-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. When the computer-readable media is configured as a database, itis to be understood that the database may be any type of database, suchas relational, hierarchical, object-oriented, and/or the like.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include a tangible storagemedium or distribution medium and prior art-recognized equivalents andsuccessor media, in which the software implementations of the presentdisclosure are stored.

The term “enhanced television” (ETV) refers to a collection ofspecifications developed under the OpenCable project of CableLabs (CableTelevision Laboratories, Inc.) that define an ETV Application consistingof resources (files) adhering to the Enhanced TV Binary InterchangeFormat (EBIF) content format as well as PNG images, JPEG images, and PFRdownloadable fonts. An ETV application is normally delivered through anMPEG transport stream and accompanies an MPEG program containing videoand audio elementary streams. An “ETV Application” is a collection ofresources (files) that include one or more EBIF resources that representviewable information in the form of pages. Two forms of a given ETVApplication may be distinguished: (1) an interchange form and (2) anexecution form. The interchange form of an ETV Application consists ofthe resources (files) that represent the compiled application prior toits actual execution by an ETV User Agent. The execution form of an ETVApplication consists of the stored, and possibly mutated forms of theseresources while being decoded, presented, and executed by an ETV UserAgent. An “ETV User Agent” is a software component that operates on aset-top box, a television, or any other computing environment capable ofreceiving, decoding, presenting, and processing an ETV Application. Thiscomponent usually provides, along with its host hardware environment,one or more mechanisms for an end-user to navigate and interact with themultimedia content represented by ETV Applications.

The term “high-definition television” (HDTV) provides a resolution thatis substantially higher than that of standard-definition television.HDTV may be transmitted in various formats, namely 1080p—1920×1080p:2,073,600 pixels (approximately 2.1 megapixels) per frame, 1080i (whichis typically either 1920×1080i: 1,036,800 pixels (approximately 1megapixel) per field or 2,073,600 pixels (approximately 2.1 megapixels)per frame or 1440×1080i:[1] 777,600 pixels (approximately 0.8megapixels) per field or 1,555,200 pixels (approximately 1.6 megapixels)per frame), or 720p—1280×720p: 921,600 pixels (approximately 0.9megapixels) per frame. As will be appreciated, “frame size” in pixels isdefined as number of horizontal pixels×number of vertical pixels, forexample 1280×720 or 1920×1080. Often the number of horizontal pixels isimplied from context and is omitted, as in the case of 720p and 1080p,“scanning system” is identified with the letter “p” for progressivescanning or “i” for interlaced scanning, and “frame rate” is identifiedas number of video frames per second. For interlaced systems analternative form of specifying number of fields per second is oftenused. For purposes of this disclosure, “high-definition television” isdeemed to include other high-definition analog or digital video formats,including ultra high definition television.

The term “internet television” (otherwise known as Internet TV, OnlineTelevision, or Online TV) is the digital distribution of televisioncontent via the Internet. It should not be confused with Webtelevision—short programs or videos created by a wide variety ofcompanies and individuals, or Internet protocol television (IPTV)—anemerging internet technology standard for use by televisionbroadcasters. Internet Television is a general term that covers thedelivery of television shows and other video content over the internetby video streaming technology, typically by major traditional televisionbroadcasters. It does not describe a technology used to deliver content(see Internet protocol television). Internet television has become verypopular through services such as RTE Player in Ireland; BBC iPlayer,4oD, ITV Player (also STV Player and UTV Player) and Demand Five in theUnited Kingdom; Hulu in the United States; Nederland 24 in theNetherlands; ABC iview and Australia Live TV in Australia; Tivibu inTurkey; and iWanTV! in the Philippines.

The term “internet protocol television” (IPTV) refers to a systemthrough which television services are delivered using the Internetprotocol suite over a packet-switched network such as the Internet,instead of being delivered through traditional terrestrial, satellitesignal, and cable television formats. IPTV services may be classifiedinto three main groups, namely live television, with or withoutinteractivity related to the current TV show; time-shifted television:catch-up TV (replays a TV show that was broadcast hours or days ago),start-over TV (replays the current TV show from its beginning); andvideo-on-demand (VOD): browse a catalog of videos, not related to TVprogramming IPTV is distinguished from Internet television by itson-going standardization process (e.g., European TelecommunicationsStandards Institute) and preferential deployment scenarios insubscriber-based telecommunications networks with high-speed accesschannels into end-user premises via set-top boxes or othercustomer-premises equipment.

The term “silo,” as used herein, can be a logical representation of aninput, source, or application. An input can be a device or devices(e.g., DVD, VCR, etc.) electrically connected to the television througha port (e.g., HDMI, video/audio inputs, etc.) or through a network(e.g., LAN WAN, etc.). Rather than a device or devices, the input couldbe configured as an electrical or physical connection to one or moredevices. A source, particularly a content source, can be a data servicethat provides content (e.g., a media center, a file system, etc.). Anapplication can be a software service that provides a particular type offunction (e.g., Live TV, VOD, User Applications, photograph display,etc.). The silo, as a logical representation, can have an associateddefinition or property, such as a setting, feature, or othercharacteristic.

The term “panel,” as used herein, can mean a user interface displayed inat least a portion of the display. The panel may be interactive (e.g.,accepts user input) or informational (e.g., does not accept user input).A panel may be translucent whereby the panel obscures but does not maskthe underlying content being displayed in the display. Panels may beprovided in response to a user input from a button or remote controlinterface.

The term “screen,” as used herein, refers to a physical structure thatincludes one or more hardware components that provide the device withthe ability to render a user interface and/or receive user input. Ascreen can encompass any combination of gesture capture region, a touchsensitive display, and/or a configurable area. The device can have oneor more physical screens embedded in the hardware. However a screen mayalso include an external peripheral device that may be attached anddetached from the device. In embodiments, multiple external devices maybe attached to the device. For example, another screen may be includedwith a remote control unit that interfaces with the Intelligent TV.

The term “media” of “multimedia,” as used herein, refers to content thatmay assume one of a combination of different content forms. Multimediacan include one or more of, but is not limited to, text, audio, stillimages, animation, video, or interactivity content forms.

The term “Intelligent TV,” as used herein, refers to a televisionconfigured to provide one or more intuitive user interfaces andinteractions based on a unique application platform and architecture.The Intelligent TV utilizes processing resources associated with thetelevision to integrate Internet connectivity with parallel applicationfunctionality. This integration allows a user the ability to intuitivelyaccess various sources of media and content (e.g., Internet,over-the-top content, on-demand streaming media, over-the-air broadcastmedia, and/or other forms of information) via the Intelligent TV in aquick and efficient manner. The Intelligent TV can be a soft television.Although the Intelligent TV disclosed herein may comprise one or morecomponents of a “smart TV,” it is an aspect of the Intelligent TV toprovide expanded intuitive user interaction capability for navigatingand executing the various features of the television. A “smart TV,”sometimes referred to as a connected TV, or hybrid TV (not to beconfused with IPTV, Internet TV, or with Web TV), describes a trend ofintegration of the Internet and Web 2.0 features into television setsand set-top boxes, as well as the technological convergence betweencomputers and these television sets/set-top boxes. The smart TV deviceshave a higher focus on online interactive media, Internet TV,over-the-top content, as well as on-demand streaming media, and lessfocus on traditional broadcast media than traditional television setsand set-top boxes. As can be appreciated, the Intelligent TV encompassesa broader range of technology than that of the smart TV defined above.

The term “television” is a telecommunication medium, device (or set) orset of associated devices, programming, and/or transmission fortransmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome(black-and-white) or colored, with or without accompanying sound.Different countries use one of the three main video standards for TVs,namely PAL, NTSC or SECAM. Television is most commonly used fordisplaying broadcast television signals. The broadcast television systemis typically disseminated via radio transmissions on designated channelsin the 54-890 MHz frequency band. A common television set comprisesmultiple internal electronic circuits, including those for receiving anddecoding broadcast signals. A visual display device which lacks a tuneris properly called a video monitor, rather than a television. Atelevision may be different from other monitors or displays based on thedistance maintained between the user and the television when the userwatches the media and based on the inclusion of a tuner or otherelectronic circuit to receive the broadcast television signal.

The term “Live TV,” as used herein, refers to a television productionbroadcast in real-time, as events happen, in the present.

The term “standard-definition television” (SDTV) is a television systemthat uses a resolution that is not considered to be eitherhigh-definition television (HDTV 720p and 1080p) or enhanced-definitiontelevision (EDTV 480p). The two common SDTV signal types are 576i, with576 interlaced lines of resolution, derived from the European-developedPAL and SECAM systems; and 480i based on the American NationalTelevision System Committee NTSC system. In the US, digital SDTV isbroadcast in the same 4:3 aspect ratio as NTSC signals. However, inother parts of the world that used the PAL or SECAM analog standards,standard-definition television is now usually shown with a 16:9 aspectratio. Standards that support digital SDTV broadcast include DVB, ATSCand ISDB. Television signals are transmitted in digital form, and theirpixels have a rectangular shape, as opposed to square pixels that areused in modem computer monitors and modern implementations of HDTV. Thetable below summarizes pixel aspect ratios for various kinds of SDTVvideo signal. Note that the actual image (be it 4:3 or 16:9) is alwayscontained in the center 704 horizontal pixels of the digital frame,regardless of how many horizontal pixels (704 or 720) are used. In caseof digital video signal having 720 horizontal pixels, only the center704 pixels contain actual 4:3 or 16:9 image, and the 8 pixel widestripes from either side are called nominal analogue blanking and shouldbe discarded before displaying the image. Nominal analogue blankingshould not be confused with overscan, as overscan areas are part of theactual 4:3 or 16:9 image.

The term “video on demand (VOD),” or “video-on-demand,” as used herein,refers to systems and processes which allow users to select andwatch/listen to video or audio content on demand. VOD systems may streamcontent, to view the content in real time, or download the content to astorage medium for viewing at a later time.

The term “satellite positioning system receiver” refers to a wirelessreceiver or transceiver to receive and/or send location signals fromand/or to a satellite positioning system, such as the Global PositioningSystem (“GPS”) (US), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo positioning system (EU),Compass navigation system (China), and Regional Navigational SatelliteSystem (India).

The term “display,” as used herein, refers to at least a portion of ascreen used to display the output of the television to a user. A displaymay be a single-screen display or a multi-screen display, referred to asa composite display. A composite display can encompass the touchsensitive display of one or more screens. A single physical screen caninclude multiple displays that are managed as separate logical displays.Thus, different content can be displayed on the separate displaysalthough part of the same physical screen.

The term “displayed image,” as used herein, refers to an image producedon the display. A typical displayed image is a television broadcast ormenu. The displayed image may occupy all or a portion of the display.

The term “display orientation,” as used herein, refers to the way inwhich a rectangular display is oriented by a user for viewing. The twomost common types of display orientation are portrait and landscape. Inlandscape mode, the display is oriented such that the width of thedisplay is greater than the height of the display (such as a 4:3 ratio,which is 4 units wide and 3 units tall, or a 16:9 ratio, which is 16units wide and 9 units tall). Stated differently, the longer dimensionof the display is oriented substantially horizontal in landscape modewhile the shorter dimension of the display is oriented substantiallyvertical. In the portrait mode, by contrast, the display is orientedsuch that the width of the display is less than the height of thedisplay. Stated differently, the shorter dimension of the display isoriented substantially horizontal in the portrait mode while the longerdimension of the display is oriented substantially vertical.

The term “module,” as used herein, refers to any known or laterdeveloped hardware, software, firmware, artificial intelligence, fuzzylogic, or combination of hardware and software that is capable ofperforming the functionality associated with that element.

The terms “determine,” “calculate” and “compute,” and variationsthereof, as used herein, are used interchangeably and include any typeof methodology, process, mathematical operation or technique.

The term “touch screen” or “touchscreen” refer to screen that canreceive user contact or other tactile input, such as a stylus. The touchscreen may sense user contact in a number of different ways, such as bya change in an electrical parameter (e.g., resistance or capacitance),acoustic wave variations, infrared radiation proximity detection, lightvariation detection, and the like. In a resistive touch screen, forexample, normally separated conductive and resistive metallic layers inthe screen pass an electrical current. When a user touches the screen,the two layers make contact in the contacted location, whereby a changein electrical field is noted and the coordinates of the contactedlocation calculated. In a capacitive touch screen, a capacitive layerstores electrical charge, which is discharged to the user upon contactwith the touch screen, causing a decrease in the charge of thecapacitive layer. The decrease is measured, and the contacted locationcoordinates determined. In a surface acoustic wave touch screen, anacoustic wave is transmitted through the screen, and the acoustic waveis disturbed by user contact. A receiving transducer detects the usercontact instance and determines the contacted location coordinates.

The term “web television” is original television content produced forbroadcast via the World Wide Web. Some major distributors of webtelevision are YouTube, Myspace, Newgrounds, Blip.tv, and Crackle.

The terms “instant message” and “instant messaging” refer to a form ofreal-time text communication between two or more people, typically basedon typed text.

The term “internet search engine” refers to a web search engine designedto search for information on the World Wide Web and FTP servers. Thesearch results are generally presented in a list of results oftenreferred to as SERPS, or “search engine results pages”. The informationmay consist of web pages, images, information and other types of files.Some search engines also mine data available in databases or opendirectories. Web search engines work by storing information about manyweb pages, which they retrieve from the html itself. These pages areretrieved by a Web crawler (sometimes also known as a spider)—anautomated Web browser which follows every link on the site. The contentsof each page are then analyzed to determine how it should be indexed(for example, words are extracted from the titles, headings, or specialfields called meta tags). Data about web pages are stored in an indexdatabase for use in later queries. Some search engines, such as Google™,store all or part of the source page (referred to as a cache) as well asinformation about the web pages, whereas others, such as AltaVista™,store every word of every page they find.

The terms “online community”, “e-community”, or “virtual community” meana group of people that primarily interact via a computer network, ratherthan face to face, for social, professional, educational or otherpurposes. The interaction can use a variety of media formats, includingwilds, blogs, chat rooms, Internet forums, instant messaging, email, andother forms of electronic media. Many media formats are used in socialsoftware separately or in combination, including text-based chatroomsand forums that use voice, video text or avatars.

The term “remote control” refers to a component of an electronicsdevice, most commonly a television set, DVD player and/or home theatersystem for operating the device wirelessly, typically from a shortline-of-sight distance. Remote control normally uses infrared and/orradio frequency (RF) signaling and can include WiFi, wireless USB,Bluetooth™ connectivity, motion sensor enabled capabilities and/or voicecontrol. A touchscreen remote control is a handheld remote controldevice which uses a touchscreen user interface to replace most of thehard, built-in physical buttons used in normal remote control devices.

The term “satellite TV” refers to television programming delivered bythe means of communications satellites and received by an outdoorantenna, usually a parabolic reflector generally referred to as asatellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellitereceiver either in the form of an external set-top box or a satellitetuner module built into a TV set.

The term “social network service” is a service provider that buildsonline communities of people, who share interests and/or activities, orwho are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.Most social network services are web-based and provide a variety of waysfor users to interact, such as e-mail and instant messaging services.

The term “social network” refers to a web-based social network.

The term “gesture” refers to a user action that expresses an intendedidea, action, meaning, result, and/or outcome. The user action caninclude manipulating a device (e.g., opening or closing a device,changing a device orientation, moving a trackball or wheel, etc.),movement of a body part in relation to the device, movement of animplement or tool in relation to the device, audio inputs, etc. Agesture may be made on a device (such as on the screen) or with thedevice to interact with the device.

The term “gesture capture” refers to a sense or otherwise a detection ofan instance and/or type of user gesture. The gesture capture can occurin one or more areas of the screen. A gesture region can be on thedisplay, where it may be referred to as a touch sensitive display or offthe display where it may be referred to as a gesture capture area.

The term “electronic address” refers to any contactable address,including a telephone number, instant message handle, e-mail address,Universal Resource Locator (URL), Universal Resource Identifier (URI),Address of Record (AOR), electronic alias in a database, like addresses,and combinations thereof.

It shall be understood that the term “means,” as used herein, shall begiven its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C.,Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means”shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and allof the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or actsand the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in thesummary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detaileddescription, abstract, and claims themselves.

The term “social media” can refer to the means of interactions amongpeople in which they create, share, and exchange information and ideasin virtual communities and networks. Embodiments of social media caninclude a group of Internet-based applications that allow the creationand exchange of content. Furthermore, social media may depend on mobileand web-based technologies to create highly interactive platformsthrough which individuals and communities share, co-create, discuss, andmodify user-generated content. Social media differentiates fromtraditional/industrial media in many aspects such as quality, reach,frequency, usability, immediacy, and permanence.

The term “social media site” can refer to a social network or socialnetwork service.

The term “social media posting” can refer to an item of content or aprovider of content on a social media site.

The term “social media poster” can refer to an author of an item ofcontent or a provider of content on a social media site.

The term “social media pile” can refer to a user interface where eachsocial media posters is represented by a thumbnail or other visualindicia. The social media pile can include two or more thumbnails orvisual indicia formed into an arrangement that resembles a pile.

The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide anunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neitheran extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its variousaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. It is intended neither toidentify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate thescope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of thedisclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detaileddescription presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure are possibleutilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features setforth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A includes a first view of an embodiment of an environment of anintelligent television;

FIG. 1B includes a second view of an embodiment of an environment of anintelligent television;

FIG. 2A includes a first view of an embodiment of an intelligenttelevision;

FIG. 2B includes a second view of an embodiment of an intelligenttelevision;

FIG. 2C includes a third view of an embodiment of an intelligenttelevision;

FIG. 2D includes a fourth view of an embodiment of an intelligenttelevision;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the hardware of anintelligent television;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the intelligent televisionsoftware and/or firmware;

FIG. 5 is a second block diagram of an embodiment of the intelligenttelevision software and/or firmware;

FIG. 6 is a third block diagram of an embodiment of the intelligenttelevision software and/or firmware;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an embodiment of a handheld remote control;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of a remote control;

FIG. 9A is a bottom view of an embodiment of a remote control with ajoystick in a neutral position;

FIG. 9B is a bottom view of an embodiment of a remote control with thejoystick in a lower position;

FIG. 9C is a bottom view of an embodiment of a remote control with thejoystick in an upper position;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of another embodiment of a handheld remotecontrol;

FIG. 11A is a front view of an embodiment of an Intelligent TV screen;

FIG. 11B is a front view of an embodiment of an Intelligent TV screen;

FIG. 11C is a front view of an embodiment of an Intelligent TV screen;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a handheld remote controlof either FIG. 7 or 10;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a content data service;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a VOD content databasefor an Intelligent TV;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for providingVOD in an Intelligent TV;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for providingVOD in an Intelligent TV;

FIG. 17 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 18 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 19 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for providingVOD in an Intelligent TV;

FIG. 21 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 22 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 23 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 24 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 25 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for providingVOD in an Intelligent TV;

FIG. 27A is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 27B is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 27C is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 28 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 29 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for providingVOD in an Intelligent TV;

FIG. 31 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for providingVOD in an Intelligent TV;

FIG. 33 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 34 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 35 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 36 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV;

FIG. 37 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for providingVOD in an Intelligent TV;

FIG. 38 is a view of an embodiment of a user interface for anIntelligent TV; and

FIG. 39 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method for providingVOD in an Intelligent TV.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a letter thatdistinguishes among the similar components. If only the first referencelabel is used in the specification, the description is applicable to anyone of the similar components having the same first reference labelirrespective of the second reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Presented herein are embodiments of a device. The device can be anetwork-enabled telecommunications device, such as a television, anelectronic visual display device, or other smart device. The device caninclude one or more screens, or sections of a screen, that areconfigured to receive and present information from a number of sources.Further, the device can receive user input in unique ways. The overalldesign and functionality of the device provides for an enhanced userexperience making the device more useful and more efficient.

Intelligent Television (TV) Environment:

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an Intelligent TV, or device, 100 isshown. It is anticipated that the Intelligent TV 100 may be used forentertainment, business applications, social interaction, contentcreation and/or consumption, and to organize and control one or moreother devices that are in communication with the Intelligent TV 100. Ascan be appreciated, the Intelligent TV 100 can be used to enhance theuser interactive experience whether at home or at work.

In some embodiments, the Intelligent TV 100 may be configured to receiveand understand a variety of user and/or device inputs. For example, auser may interface with the Intelligent TV 100 via one or more physicalor electrical controls, such as buttons, switches, touch sensitivescreens/regions (e.g., capacitive touch, resistive touch, etc.), and/orother controls associated with the Intelligent TV 100. In some cases,the Intelligent TV 100 may include the one or more interactive controls.Additionally or alternatively, the one or more controls may beassociated with a remote control. The remote control may communicatewith the Intelligent TV 100 via wired and/or wireless signals. As can beappreciated, the remote control may operate via radio frequency (RF),infrared (IR), and/or a specific wireless communications protocol (e.g.,Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi, etc.). In some cases, the controls, whether physicalor electrical, may be configured (e.g., programmed) to suit a user'spreferences.

Additionally or alternatively, smart phones, tablets, computers,laptops, netbooks, and other smart devices may be used to control theIntelligent TV 100. For example, control of the Intelligent TV 100 maybe achieved via an application running on a smart device. Theapplication may be configured to present a user with various IntelligentTV 100 controls in an intuitive user interface (UI) on a screenassociated with the device 100. The screen may be a touch sensitive, ortouch screen, display. Selections input by a user via the UI may beconfigured to control the Intelligent TV 100 by the applicationaccessing one or more communication features associated with the smartdevice.

It is anticipated that the Intelligent TV 100 can receive input viavarious input devices including, but in no way limited to, video, audio,radio, light, tactile, and combinations thereof. Among other things,these input devices may be configured to allow the Intelligent TV 100 tosee, recognize, and react to user gestures. For instance, a user maytalk to the Intelligent TV 100 in a conversational manner. TheIntelligent TV 100 may hear and understand voice commands in a mannersimilar to a smart device's intelligent personal assistant andvoice-controlled navigator application (e.g., Apple's Siri, Android'sSkyvi, Robin, his, and other applications).

The Intelligent TV 100 may also be a communications device which canestablish network connections 104 through many alternate means,including wired 108 or wireless 112 means, over cellular networks 116 toconnect via cellular base antenna 142 to telephone networks operated bytelephone company 146, and by using a telephone line 120 to connect totelephone networks operated by telephone company 146. These connections104 enable the Intelligent TV 100 to access one or more communicationnetworks 132. The communication networks may comprise any type of knowncommunication medium or collection of communication media and may useany type of protocols to transport messages or signals betweenendpoints. The communication networks may include wired and/or wirelesscommunication technologies. The Internet is an example of acommunication network 132 that constitutes an Internet Protocol (IP)network consisting of many computers, computing networks, and othercommunication devices located all over the world, which are connectedthrough many telephone systems and other means.

Other examples of the communication network 132 include, withoutlimitation, a standard Plain Old Telephone System (POTS), an IntegratedServices Digital Network (ISDN), the Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), acellular network, and any other type of packet-switched orcircuit-switched network known in the art. In addition, it can beappreciated that the communication network 132 need not be limited toany one network type, and instead may be comprised of a number ofdifferent networks and/or network types.

In some embodiments, the Intelligent TV 100 may be equipped withmultiple communication means. The multiple communication means may allowthe Intelligent TV 100 to communicate across Local Area Networks (LANs)124, wireless local area networks (WLANs) 128, and other networks 132.The networks 132 may be connected in a redundant manner to ensurenetwork access. In other words, if one connection is interrupted, theIntelligent TV 100 can use an alternate communications path toreestablish and/or maintain the network connection 104. Among otherthings, the Intelligent TV 100 may use these network connections 104 tosend and receive information, interact with an electronic program guide(EPG) 136, receive software updates 140, contact customer service 144(e.g., to receive help or service, etc.), and/or access remotely storeddigital media libraries 148. In addition, these connections can allowthe Intelligent TV 100 to make phone calls, send and/or receive emailmessages, send and/or receive text messages (such as email and instantmessages), surf the Internet using an internet search engine, post blogsby a blogging service, and connect/interact with social media sitesand/or an online community (e.g., Facebook™, Twitter™, LinkedIn™,Pinterest™, Google+™, MySpace™, and the like) maintained by a socialnetwork service. In combination with other components of the IntelligentTV 100 described in more detail below, these network connections 104also enable the Intelligent TV 100 to conduct video teleconferences,electronic meetings, and other communications. The Intelligent TV 100may capture and store images and sound, using associated cameras,microphones, and other sensors. Additionally or alternatively, theIntelligent TV 100 may create and save screen shots of media, images,and data displayed on a screen associated with the intelligent TV 100.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the intelligent TV 100 can interact withother electronic devices 168 by either by the wired 108 and/or wireless112 connections. As described herein, components of the Intelligent TV100 allow the device 100 to be connected to devices 168 including, butnot limited to, DVD players 168 a, BluRay players 168 b, portabledigital media devices 168 c, smart phones 168 d, tablet devices 168 e,personal computers 168 f, external cable boxes 168 g, keyboards 168 h,pointing devices 168 i, printers 168 j, game controllers and/or gamepads 168 k, satellite dishes 1681, external display devices 168 m, andother universal serial bus (USB), local area network (LAN), Bluetooth™,or high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) compliant devices, and/orwireless devices. When connected to an external cable box 168 g orsatellite dish 1681, the Intelligent TV 100 can access additional mediacontent. Also, as further described below, the Intelligent TV 100 iscapable of receiving digital and/or analog signals broadcast by TVstations. The Intelligent TV 100 can be configured as one or more of astandard-definition television, enhanced television, and high-definitiontelevision. It may operate as one or more of cable, Internet, InternetProtocol, satellite, web, and/or smart television. The Intelligent TV100 may also be used to control the operation of, and may interfacewith, other smart components such as security systems 172, door/gatecontrollers 176, remote video cameras 180, lighting systems 184,thermostats 188, refrigerators 192, and other appliances.

Intelligent TV:

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate components of the Intelligent TV 100. In general,as shown by FIG. 2A, the Intelligent TV 100 can be supported by aremovable base or stand 204 that is attached to a frame 208. The frame208 surrounds edges of a display screen 212, leaving a front surface ofthe display screen 212 uncovered. The display screen 212 may comprise aliquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen, a plasma screen, Light EmittingDiode (LED) screen, or other screen types. In embodiments, the entirefront surface of the screen 212 may be touch sensitive and capable ofreceiving input by the user touching the front surface of the screen212.

The Intelligent TV 100 may include integrated speakers 216 and at leastone microphone 220. A first area of the frame 208 may comprise ahorizontal gesture capture region 224 and second areas comprise verticalgesture capture regions 228. The gesture capture regions 224, 228 maycomprise areas or regions that are capable of receiving input byrecognizing gestures made by the user, and in some examples, without theneed for the user to actually touch the screen 212 surface of theIntelligent TV 100. However, the gesture capture regions 224, 228 maynot include pixels that can perform a display function or capability.

One or more image capture devices 232, such as a camera, can be includedfor capturing still and/or video images. The image capture device 232can include or be associated with additional elements, such as a flashor other light source 236 and a range finding device 240 to assistfocusing of the image capture device. In addition, the microphone 220,gesture capture regions 224, 228, image capture devices 232, and therange finding device 240 may be used by the Intelligent TV 100 torecognize individual users. Additionally or alternatively, theIntelligent TV 100 may learn and remember preferences associated withthe individual users. In some embodiments, the learning and remembering(i.e., identifying and recalling stored information) may be associatedwith the recognition of a user.

An IR transmitter and receiver 244 may also be provided to connect theIntelligent TV 100 with a remote control device (not shown) or other IRdevices. Additionally or alternatively, the remote control device maytransmit wireless signals via RF, light, and/or a means other than IR.Also shown in FIG. 2A is an audio jack 248, which may be hidden behind apanel that is hinged or removable. The audio jack 248 accommodates atip, ring, sleeve (TRS) connector, for example, to allow the user toutilize headphones, a headset, or other external audio equipment.

The Intelligent TV 100 can also include a number of buttons 252. Forexample, FIG. 2A illustrates the buttons 252 on the top of theIntelligent TV 100, although the buttons could be placed at otherlocations. As shown, the Intelligent TV 100 includes six buttons 252a-f, which can be configured for specific inputs. For example, the firstbutton 252 a may be configured as an on/off button used to controloverall system power to the Intelligent TV 100. The buttons 252 may beconfigured to, in combination or alone, control a number of aspects ofthe Intelligent TV 100. Some non-limiting examples include, but are notlimited to, overall system volume, brightness, the image capture device,the microphone, and initiation/termination of a video conference.Instead of separate buttons, two of the buttons may be combined into arocker button. This rocker button arrangement may be useful insituations where the buttons are configured to control features such asvolume or brightness. In some embodiments, one or more of the buttons252 are capable of supporting different user commands. By way ofexample, a normal press has a duration commonly of less than about 1second and resembles a quick input. A medium press has a durationcommonly of 1 second or more but less than about 12 seconds. A longpress has a duration commonly of about 12 seconds or more. The functionof the buttons is normally specific to the application that is active onthe Intelligent TV 100. In the video conference application for instanceand depending on the particular button, a normal, medium, or long presscan mean end the video conference, increase or decrease the volume,increase a rate speed associated with a response to an input, and togglemicrophone mute. Depending on the particular button, a normal, medium,or long press can also control the image capture device 232 to increasezoom, decrease zoom, take a photograph, or record video.

In support of communications functions or capabilities, the IntelligentTV 100 can include one or more shared or dedicated antennae 256 andwired broadband connections 260 as shown in FIG. 2B. The antennae 256also enable the Intelligent TV 100 to receive digital and/or analogbroadcast TV channels. The wired broadband connections 260 are, forexample, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), an optical line, an Ethernetport, an IEEE 1394 interface, or other interfaces. The Intelligent TV100 also has a telephone line jack 262 to further provide communicationscapability.

In addition to the removable base 204, the Intelligent TV 100 mayinclude hardware and mounting points 264 on a rear surface to facilitatemounting the Intelligent TV 100 to a surface, such as a wall. In onenon-limiting example, the Intelligent TV 100 may incorporate at leastone Video Equipment Standards Association (VESA) mounting interface forattaching the device 100 to the surface.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the Intelligent TV 100 may include dockinginterfaces or ports 268. The docking ports 268 may include proprietaryor universal ports to support the interconnection of the Intelligent TV100 to other devices or components, which may or may not includeadditional or different capabilities from those integral to theIntelligent TV 100. In addition to supporting an exchange ofcommunication signals between the Intelligent TV 100 and a connecteddevice or component, the docking ports 268 can support the supply ofpower to the connected device or component. The docking ports 268 canalso comprise an intelligent element that comprises a docking module forcontrolling communications or other interactions between the IntelligentTV 100 and the connected device or component.

The Intelligent TV 100 also includes a number of card slots 272 andnetwork or peripheral interface ports 276. The card slots 272 mayaccommodate different types of cards including subscriber identitymodules (SIM), secure digital (SD) cards, MiniSD cards, flash memorycards, and other cards. Ports 276 in embodiments may includeinput/output (I/O) ports, such as universal serial bus (USB) ports,parallel ports, game ports, and high-definition multimedia interface(HDMI) connectors.

An audio/video (A/V) I/O module 280 can be included to provide audio toan interconnected speaker or other device, and to receive audio inputfrom a connected microphone or other device. As an example, the audioinput/output interface 280 may comprise an associated amplifier andanalog-to-digital converter.

Hardware Features:

FIG. 3 illustrates components of a Intelligent TV 100 in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. In general, the Intelligent TV100 includes a primary screen 304. Screen 304 can be a touch sensitivescreen and can include different operative areas.

For example, a first operative area, within the screen 304, may comprisea display 310. In some embodiments, the display 310 may be touchsensitive. In general, the display 310 may comprise a full color,display.

A second area within the screen 304 may comprise a gesture captureregion 320. The gesture capture region 320 may comprise an area orregion that is outside of the display 310 area, and that is capable ofreceiving input, for example in the form of gestures provided by a user.However, the gesture capture region 320 does not include pixels that canperform a display function or capability.

A third region of the screen 304 may comprise a configurable area 312.The configurable area 312 is capable of receiving input and has displayor limited display capabilities. In embodiments, the configurable area312 may present different input options to the user. For example, theconfigurable area 312 may display buttons or other relatable items.Moreover, the identity of displayed buttons, or whether any buttons aredisplayed at all within the configurable area 312 of a screen 304, maybe determined from the context in which the Intelligent TV 100 is usedand/or operated.

In an exemplary touch sensitive screen 304 embodiment, the touchsensitive screen 304 comprises a liquid crystal display extending acrossat least those regions of the touch sensitive screen 304 that arecapable of providing visual output to a user, and a capacitive inputmatrix over those regions of the touch sensitive screen 304 that arecapable of receiving input from the user.

One or more display controllers 316 may be provided for controlling theoperation of the screen 304. The display controller 316 may control theoperation of the touch sensitive screen 304, including input (touchsensing) and output (display) functions. The display controller 316 mayalso control the operation of the screen 304 and may interface withother inputs, such as infrared and/or radio input signals (e.g.,door/gate controllers, alarm system components, etc.). In accordancewith still other embodiments, the functions of a display controller 316may be incorporated into other components, such as a processor 364.

The processor 364 may comprise a general purpose programmable processoror controller for executing application programming or instructions. Inaccordance with at least some embodiments, the processor 364 may includemultiple processor cores, and/or implement multiple virtual processors.In accordance with still other embodiments, the processor 364 mayinclude multiple physical processors. As a particular example, theprocessor 364 may comprise a specially configured application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) or other integrated circuit, a digital signalprocessor, a controller, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit, aprogrammable logic device or gate array, a special purpose computer, orthe like. The processor 364 generally functions to run programming codeor instructions implementing various functions of the Intelligent TV100.

In support of connectivity functions or capabilities, the Intelligent TV100 can include a module for encoding/decoding and/orcompression/decompression 366 for receiving and managing digitaltelevision information. Encoding/decoding compression/decompressionmodule 366 enables decompression and/or decoding of analog and/ordigital information dispatched by a public television chain or in aprivate television network and received across antenna 324, I/O module348, wireless connectivity module 328, and/or other wirelesscommunications module 332. The television information may be sent toscreen 304 and/or attached speakers receiving analog or digitalreception signals. Any encoding/decoding and compression/decompressionis performable on the basis of various formats (e.g., audio, video, anddata). Encrypting module 368 is in communication with encoding/decodingcompression/decompression module 366 and enables the confidentiality ofall the data received or transmitted by the user or supplier.

In support of communications functions or capabilities, the IntelligentTV 100 can include a wireless connectivity module 328. As examples, thewireless connectivity module 328 can comprise a GSM, CDMA, FDMA and/oranalog cellular telephony transceiver capable of supporting voice,multimedia and/or data transfers over a cellular network. Alternativelyor in addition, the Intelligent TV 100 can include an additional orother wireless communications module 332. As examples, the otherwireless communications module 332 can comprise a Wi-Fi, Blutooth™,WiMax, infrared, or other wireless communications link. The wirelessconnectivity module 328 and the other wireless communications module 332can each be associated with a shared or a dedicated antenna 324 and ashared or dedicated I/O module 348.

An input/output module 348 and associated ports may be included tosupport communications over wired networks or links, for example withother communication devices, server devices, and/or peripheral devices.Examples of an input/output module 348 include an Ethernet port, aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) port, Thunderbolt™ or Light Peak interface,Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 port, orother interface.

An audio input/output interface/device(s) 344 can be included to provideanalog audio to an interconnected speaker or other device, and toreceive analog audio input from a connected microphone or other device.As an example, the audio input/output interface/device(s) 344 maycomprise an associated amplifier and analog-to-digital converter.Alternatively or in addition, the Intelligent TV 100 can include anintegrated audio input/output device 356 and/or an audio jack forinterconnecting an external speaker or microphone. For example, anintegrated speaker and an integrated microphone can be provided, tosupport near talk or speaker phone operations.

A port interface 352 may be included. The port interface 352 may includeproprietary or universal ports to support the interconnection of thedevice 100 to other devices or components, such as a dock, which may ormay not include additional or different capabilities from those integralto the device 100. In addition to supporting an exchange ofcommunication signals between the device 100 and another device orcomponent, the docking port 136 and/or port interface 352 can supportthe supply of power to or from the device 100. The port interface 352also comprises an intelligent element that comprises a docking modulefor controlling communications or other interactions between theIntelligent TV 100 and a connected device or component. The dockingmodule may interface with software applications that allow for theremote control of other devices or components (e.g., media centers,media players, and computer systems).

An Intelligent TV 100 may also include memory 308 for use in connectionwith the execution of application programming or instructions by theprocessor 364, and for the temporary or long term storage of programinstructions and/or data. As examples, the memory 308 may comprise RAM,DRAM, SDRAM, or other solid state memory. Alternatively or in addition,data storage 314 may be provided. Like the memory 308, the data storage314 may comprise a solid state memory device or devices. Alternativelyor in addition, the data storage 314 may comprise a hard disk drive orother random access memory.

Hardware buttons 358 can be included for example for use in connectionwith certain control operations. One or more image captureinterfaces/devices 340, such as a camera, can be included for capturingstill and/or video images. Alternatively or in addition, an imagecapture interface/device 340 can include a scanner, code reader, ormotion sensor. An image capture interface/device 340 can include or beassociated with additional elements, such as a flash or other lightsource. The image capture interfaces/devices 340 may interface with auser ID module 350 that assists in identifying users of the IntelligentTV 100.

The Intelligent TV 100 can also include a global positioning system(GPS) receiver 336. In accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention, the GPS receiver 336 may further comprise a GPS module thatis capable of providing absolute location information to othercomponents of the Intelligent TV 100. As will be appreciated, othersatellite-positioning system receivers can be used in lieu of or inaddition to GPS.

Power can be supplied to the components of the Intelligent TV 100 from apower source and/or power control module 360. The power control module360 can, for example, include a battery, an AC-to-DC converter, powercontrol logic, and/or ports for interconnecting the Intelligent TV 100to an external source of power.

Communication between components of the Intelligent TV 100 is providedby bus 322. Bus 322 may comprise one or more physical buses for control,addressing, and/or data transmission. Bus 322 may be parallel, serial, ahybrid thereof, or other technology.

Firmware and Software:

An embodiment of the software system components and modules 400 is shownin FIG. 4. The software system 400 may comprise one or more layersincluding, but not limited to, an operating system kernel 404, one ormore libraries 408, an application framework 412, and one or moreapplications 416. The one or more layers 404-416 can communicate witheach other to perform functions for the Intelligent TV 100.

An operating system (OS) kernel 404 contains the primary functions thatallow the software to interact with hardware associated with theIntelligent TV 100. Kernel 404 can include a collection of software thatmanages the computer hardware resources and provides services for othercomputer programs or software code. The operating system kernel 404 isthe main component of the operating system and acts as an intermediarybetween the applications and data processing done with the hardwarecomponents. Part of the operating system kernel 404 can include one ormore device drivers 420. A device driver 420 can be any code within theoperating system that helps operate or control a device or hardwareattached to or associated with the Intelligent TV. The driver 420 caninclude code for operating video, audio, and/or other multimediacomponents of the Intelligent TV 100. Examples of drivers includedisplay, camera, flash, binder (IPC), keypad, WiFi, and audio drivers.

Library 408 can contain code or other components that may be accessedand implemented during the operation of the software system 400. Thelibrary 408 may contain one or more of, but is not limited to, anoperating system runtime library 424, a TV services hardware abstractionlayer (HAL) library 428, and/or a data service library 432. The OSruntime library 424 may contain the code required by the operatingsystem kernel 404 or other operating system functions to be executedduring the runtime of the software system 400. The library can includethe code that is initiated during the running of the software system400.

The TV services hardware abstraction layer library 428 can include coderequired by TV services either executed in the application framework 412or an application 416. The TV services HAL library 428 is specific tothe Intelligent TV 100 operations that control different functions ofthe Intelligent TV. The TV service HAL library 428 can also be formedfrom other types of application languages or embodiments of differenttypes of code or formats for code beyond the hardware abstraction layer.

The data services library 432 can include the one or more components orcodes to implement components for the data services function. The dataservices function can be implemented in the application framework 412and/or applications layer 416. An embodiment of a function of the dataservices and the type of components that may be included is shown inFIG. 6.

The application framework 412 can include a general abstraction forproviding functionality that can be selected by one or more applications416 to provide specific application functions or software for thoseapplications. Thus, the framework 412 can include one or more differentservices, or other applications, that can be accessed by theapplications 416 to provide general functions across two or moreapplications. Such functions include, for example, management of one ormore of windows or panels, surfaces, activities, content, and resources,The application framework 412 can include one or more, but is notlimited to, TV services 434, TV services framework 440, TV resources444, and user interface components 448.

The TV services framework 440 can provide an additional abstraction fordifferent TV services. TV services framework 440 allows for the generalaccess and function of services that are associated with the TVfunctionality. The TV services 436 are general services provided withinthe TV services framework 440 that can be accessed by applications inthe applications layer 416. The TV resources 444 provide code foraccessing TV resources 444 including any type of storage, video, audio,or other functionality provided with the Intelligent TV 100. The TVresources 444, TV services 436, and TV services framework 440 providefor the different implementations of TV functionality that may occurwith the Intelligent TV 100.

One or more user interface components 448 can provide general componentsfor display of the Intelligent TV 100. The user interface components 448might be general components that may be accessed by differentapplications provided in the application framework 412. The userinterface components 448 may be accessed to provide for panels and silosas described in conjunction with FIG. 5.

The applications layer 416 can both contain and execute applicationsassociated with the Intelligent TV 100. Applications layer 416 mayinclude one or more of, but is not limited to, a live TV application452, a VOD application 456, a media center application 460, anapplication center application 464, and a user interface application468. The live TV application 452 can provide live TV over differentsignal sources. For example, the live TV application 452 can provide TVfrom input from cable television, over air broadcasts, from satelliteservices, or other types of live TV services. Live TV application 452may then present the multimedia presentation or video and audiopresentation of the live television signal over the display of theIntelligent TV 100.

The VOD application 456 can provide for video from different storagesources. Unlike Live TV application 452, VOD 456 provides for display ofvideos that are accessed from some memory source. The sources of the VODcan be associated with users or with the Intelligent TV or some othertype of service. For example, the VOD 456 may be provided from an iTuneslibrary stored in a cloud, from a local disc storage that containsstored video programs, or from some other source.

The media center application 460 can provide applications for differenttypes of media presentation. For example, the media center 460 canprovide for displaying pictures or audio that is different from, butstill accessible by the user and different from live TV or VOD. Themedia center 460 allows for the access of different sources to obtainthe media in the display of such media on the Intelligent TV 100.

The application center 464 allows for the provision, storage and use ofapplications. An application can be a game, a productivity application,or some other application generally associated with computer systems orother devices, but may be operated within the Intelligent TV. Anapplication center 464 may obtain these applications from differentsources, store them locally and then execute those types of applicationsfor the user on the Intelligent TV 100.

User interface application 468 provides for the specific user interfacesassociated with the Intelligent TV 100. These user interfaces caninclude the silos and panels that are described in FIG. 5. An embodimentof the user interface software 500 is shown in FIG. 5. In onenon-limiting example the application framework 412 contains one or morecode components which help control the user interface events while oneor more applications in the applications layer 416 affects the userinterface use for the Intelligent TV 100. The application framework 412can include a silo transition controller 504 and/or an input eventdispatcher 508. There may be more or fewer code components in theapplication framework 412 than those shown in FIG. 5. The silotransition controller 504 contains the code and language that managesthe transitions between one or more silos. A silo can be a vertical userinterface feature on the Intelligent TV that contains information foruser. The transition controller 504 can manage the changes between twosilos when an event occurs in the user interface. The input eventdispatcher 508 can receive user interface events that may be receivedfrom the operating system and provided to the input event dispatcher508. These events can include selections of buttons on a remote controlor on the TV or other types of user interface inputs. The input eventdispatcher 508 may then send these events to a silo manager 532 or panelmanager 536 depending on the type of the event. The silo transitioncontroller 504 can interface with the silo manager 532 to affect changesin the silos.

The applications layer 416 can include a user interface application 468and/or a silo application 512. The applications layer 416 can includemore or fewer user interface applications as necessary to control theuser interface of the Intelligent TV 100 than those shown in FIG. 5. Theuser interface application 468 can include a silo manager 532, a panelmanager 536, and one or more types of panels 516-528. The silo manager532 manages the display and/or features of silos. The silo manager 532can receive or send information from the silo transition controller 504or the input event dispatcher 508 to change the silos displayed and/orto determine types of input received in the silos.

A panel manager 536 is operable to display panels in the user interfaceto manage transitions between those panels or to affect user interfaceinputs received in the panel. The panel manager 536 may thus be incommunication with different user interface panels such as a globalpanel 516, a volume panel 520, a settings panel 524, and/or anotification panel 528. The panel manager 536 can display these types ofpanels depending on the inputs received from the input event dispatcher508. The global panel 516 may include information that is associatedwith the home screen or top level hierarchal information for the user. Avolume panel 520 may display information about an audio volume controlor other settings for volume. A settings panel 524 can includeinformation displayed about the settings of the audio or video, or othersettable characteristics of the Intelligent TV 100. A notification panel528 can provide information about notifications to a user. Thesenotifications can be associated with information, such as, VOD displays,favorites, currently provided programs, or other information.Notifications can be associated with the media or with some type ofsetting, or operation or the Intelligent TV 100. The panel manager 536may be in communication with the panel controller 552 of the siloapplication 512.

The panel controller 552 may operate to control portions of the panelsof the types described previously. Thus, the panel controller 552 may bein communication with a top panel application 540, an application panel544, and/or bottom panel 548. These types of panels may be differentlydisplayed in the user interface of the Intelligent TV 100. The panelcontrol thus may be based on the configuration of the system or the typeof display being used currently, put the types of panels 516-528 into acertain display orientation governed by the top panel application 540,application panel 544, or bottom panel application 548.

An embodiment of the data service 432 and the operation of the datamanagement is shown in FIG. 6. The data management 600 can include oneor more code components that are associated with different types ofdata. For example, there may be code components within the data service432 that execute and are associated with VOD, the electronic programguide, or media data. There may be more or fewer types of data service432 components than those shown in FIG. 6. Each of the different typesof data may include a data model 604-612. The data models govern whatinformation is to be stored and how that information will be stored bythe data service. Thus, the data model can govern regardless of wherethe data comes from, how the data will be received or managed within theIntelligent TV system. Thus, the data model 604, 608, and/or 612, canprovide a translation ability or affect the ability to translate datafrom one form to another to be used by the Intelligent TV 100.

The different types of data services (VOD, electronic programming guide,media) each have a data subservice 620, 624, and/or 628 that is incommunication with one or more internal and/or external contentproviders 616. The data subservices 620, 624, and 628 that communicatewith the content providers 616 to obtain data that may then be stored indatabases 632, 636, and 640. The subservices 620, 624, and 628 maycommunicate with and initiate or enable one or more source plug-ins 644,648, and 652 to communicate with the content provider. For each contentprovider 616, there may be a different source plug-in 644, 648, and 652.Thus, if there is more than one source of content for the data, each ofthe data subservices 620, 624, and 628 may determine and then enable orinitiate a different source plug-in 644, 648, and/or 652. The contentproviders 616 may also provide information to a resource arbitrator 656and/or thumbnail cache manager 660. The resource arbitrator 656 mayoperate to communicate with resources 664 that are external to the dataservice 432. Thus, the resource arbitrator 656 may communicate withcloud based storage, network based storage, or other types of externalstorage in the resources 664. This information may then be providedthrough the content provider module 616 to the data subservices 620,624, 628. Likewise, a thumbnail cache manager 660 may obtain thumbnailinformation from one of the data subservices 620, 624, 628 and storethat information in the thumbnails database 668. Further, the thumbnailcache manager 660 may extract or retrieve that information from thethumbnails database 668 to provide to one of the data subservices 620,624, 628.

An exemplary content aggregation architecture 1300 is shown in FIG. 13.The architecture can include a user interface layer 1304 and a contentaggregation layer 1308. The user interface layer 1304 may include a TVapplication 1312, media player 1316, and application(s) 1320. The TVapplication 1312 enables the viewer to view channels received via anappropriate transmission medium, such as cable, satellite, and/or theInternet. The media player 1316 views other types of media received viaan appropriate transmission medium, such as the Internet. Theapplication(s) 1320 include other TV-related (pre-installed)applications, such as content viewing, content searching, deviceviewing, and setup algorithms, and coordinates with the media player1316 to provide information to the viewer.

The content source layer 1308 includes, as data services, a contentsource service 1328, a content aggregation service 1332 and a contentpresentation service 1336. The content source service 1328 can managecontent source investigators, including local and/or network filesystem(s), digital network device manager (which discovers handheld andnon-handheld devices (e.g., digital media servers, players, renderers,controllers, printers, uploaders, downloaders, network connectivityfunctions, and interoperability units) by known techniques, such as amulticast universal plug and play or UPnP discovery techniques, and, foreach discovered device, retrieves, parses, and encodes devicedescriptors, notifies the content source service of the newly discovereddevice, and provides information, such as an index, on previouslydiscovered devices), Internet Protocol Television or IPTV, digitaltelevision or DTV (including high definition and enhanced TV), thirdparty services (such as those referenced above), and applications (suchas Android applications).

Content source investigators can track content sources and are typicallyconfigured as binaries. The content source service 1328 starts contentsource investigators and maintains open and persistent channels forcommunications. The communications include query or command and responsepairs. The content aggregation service 1332 can manage content metadatafetchers, such as for video, audio, and/or picture metadata. The contentpresentation service 1336 may provide interfaces to the content index1340, such as an Android application interface and digital deviceinterfaces.

The content source service 1328 can send and receive communications 1344to and from the content aggregation service 1332. The communications caninclude notifications regarding new and removed digital devices and/orcontent and search queries and results. The content aggregation service1332 can send and receive communications 1348 to and from the contentpresentation service 1336 including device and/or content lookupnotifications, content-of-interest advisories and notifications, andsearch queries and results.

When a search is performed, particularly when the user is searching orbrowsing content, a user request may be received from the user interfacelayer 1300, by the content presentation service 1336, which responsivelyopens a socket and sends the request to the content aggregation service1332. The content aggregation service 1332 first returns results fromthe local database 1340. The local database 1340 includes an index ordata model and indexed metadata. The content source service 1328 furtherissues search and browse requests for all content source investigatorsand other data management systems. The results are forwarded to thecontent aggregation service 1332, which updates the database 1340 toreflect the further search results and provides the original contentaggregation database search results and the data updates, reflecting theadditional content source service search results, over the previouslyopened socket to the content presentation service 1336. The contentpresentation service 1336 then provides the results to one or morecomponents in the user interface layer 1300 for presentation to theviewer. When the search session is over (e.g., the search session isterminated by the user or by an action associated with user), the userinterface layer 1300 disconnects the socket. As shown, media can beprovided directly by the content aggregation service 1332 to the mediaplayer 1316 for presentation to the user.

Remote Control:

A handheld remote control can be provided to enable user interactionwith the Intelligent TV 100. An exemplary handheld remote control isshown in FIGS. 7-9. The remote control 700 can include one or more of,but is not limited to, top, side and bottom housings 704, 708, and 712,an (on/off) power button 716, an input source button 720 (to selectinput source such as Live TV, VOD, media center, application center,high definition multimedia interface or HDMI, component or COMP,audio/Video or A/V, digital or analog television or DTV/ATV, and videographics array (VGA)), a (volume) mute button 724, a Live TV button 728(to activate or select the Live TV silo), a VOD (VOD) button 732 (toactivate or select the VOD silo), a media center button 736 (to activateor select the media center application or silo, which access varioustypes of media such as music, TV programming, videos, and the like), anapplication center button 740 (to activate or select the applicationcenter application or silo), a global panel button 744, an applicationpanel button 748, a back button 752 (to select a prior user operation orIntelligent TV state and/or navigate up a hierarchy of any displayedimage or object(s) (in which case the back button 752 does not navigatewithin application panels or across application silos), a play button756 (to play or pause media), a D-pad 760 (which includes north, east,west, and south directional arrows to navigate among displayed imagesand/or move between levels of an application's or object's hierarchysuch as application view navigation, panel navigation, and collectionnavigation), an OK (or select) button 764 (to select a highlighteddisplayed image (such as displayed speed control, rewind, forward, play,and pause objects and/or objects on menu bar or in a menu box) and/ornavigate down a hierarchy of any displayed image or object(s)), arocker-type volume-up and volume-down button 768 (to adjust the volume),a menu/guide button 772 (to select for display a menu or guide ofprogramming), a 0-9 (number) button 776 (to display a number pad on theTV screen), a settings button 780 (which launches an application toaccess current and change TV settings (such as channel settings andsettings used to adjust picture and sound effects (e.g., image mode(e.g., standard, playground, game, cinema, concert, and studio),brightness, contrast, saturation, color temperature, energy savings, 3Dnoise reduction, hue, sharpness, zoom mode (e.g., full screen, standard,smart zoom, and dot-to-dot), picture position, 3D mode, for picture, andsound retrieval system or SRS TruSurround, sound mode (e.g., standard,live 1, live 2, theatre, music, speech, user equalizer mode, Left/Rightspeaker balance, auto volume control, Sony/Philips Interconnect Formator S/PDIF (off, auto, pulse code modulation or PCM) for sound) andsystem settings (such as system (e.g., selected language for graphicaluser interface, user geographical and/or geopolitical locationinformation, input method, area settings, and sleep time), network(e.g., WiFi, WiFi hotspot, WiFi direct, Point-to-Point Protocol overEthernet or PPPoE (asymmetric digital subscriber line or ADSL),Ethernet) settings (e.g., enabled and disabled and selected andnon-selected) and information (e.g., network information (e.g.,electronic address such as Internet Protocol or IP address, subnet mask,gateway, domain name server information, domain name, Media AccessControl or MAC address, service set identification or SSID, securityinformation, and password information) and inline status), manageapplications (e.g., currently installed applications, currentlyexecuting applications, and internal and external computer readablemedium usage), and view user information regarding the Intelligent TV100)), a rocker-type channel-up and channel-down button 784 (toincrement or decrement the selected channel), and first, second, thirdand fourth hotkeys 788, 792, 794, and 796, and/or a moveable joystick900 on a bottom of the remote control 700. The first, second, third, andfourth hotkeys are generally assigned different colors, which colorindexing is depicted as visual indicia on a selected panel to show thecurrently assigned function, if any, for each hotkey. As can be seen,the actuator layout can provide a highly efficient, satisfactory, andeasily usable experience to the end user.

Unlike the functional associations and functions of many of theactuators, those of some of the actuators are not readily apparent. Anumber of examples will now be discussed by way of illustration.

The media center button 736, when selected, can provide informationregarding music, videos, photographs, collections or groupings of music,videos, and/or photographs, and internal and external computationaldevices (such as personal computers, laptops, tablet computers, wirelessphones, removable computer readable media, and the like), which can begrouped in a selected manner (such as favorites, most recently viewed,most watched or viewed, and most recently added). The information canincludes previews (which can include selected portions of the mediacontent, duration, file size, date created, date last watched, timeswatched or viewed, and audio and/or video format information).

The application center button 740, when selected, may provideinformation regarding pre-installed and downloaded applications. Unlikedownloaded applications, pre-installed applications cannot be removed bythe user or manually updated. Exemplary pre-installed applicationsinclude web browser, settings control, and content search algorithms. Byway of illustration, the application center button 740 can provide ascrollable graphical grid of icons (each icon being associated with anapplication) currently available in the application center.

The global panel button 744, when selected, can provide the user, viaone or more panels or windows, with access to one or more of, but notlimited to, silos, notifications, a web browser, system settings, and/orinformation associated therewith. For example, the global panel button744 can enable the user to determine what external devices are currentlyconnected to and/or disconnected from the Intelligent TV 100, determinewhat inputs (e.g., HDMI ports) are currently available for connecting toexternal devices, determine a connection and/or operational status of aselected external device and/or network (e.g., WiFi connected, Ethernetconnected, and offline), assign a custom (or user selected) name to eachinput source, determine what content is currently being offered on LiveTV, on demand, the media center, and/or the application center, accessvendor messages and notifications to the user (e.g., system and/orapplication updates are available), activate the Internet browser,and/or access shortcuts on a displayed shortcut bar to more frequentlyused and desired applications. Common shortcuts are Internet browser(e.g., Internet search engine), system settings, and notifications. Thecommon types of panels are for information (which is typicallyinformation related to a currently displayed image and/or content (e.g.,title, date/time, audio/visual indicator, rating, and genre), browserequests, and/or search requests (such as search term field)). Each ofthe panel types may include a panel navigation bar, detailed informationor relevant content to the panel function, operation and/or purpose, anda hotkey bar (defining currently enabled functional associations ofhotkeys).

The application panel button 748, when selected, can display anapplication window or panel. One application panel may be an informationpanel regarding a selected (pre-installed or previously downloaded)application icon. The information panel can one or more of identify theselected application, provide a description of the functionality(including application developer and/or vendor, version, release, and/orlast update date and a category or type of application based on theapplication's functionality) and user ratings and/or degree of otheruser downloading of the application (e.g., a star rating assigned basedon one or more of the foregoing inputs), provide the option to launch,remove, update, and add to favorites the identified application, andprovide a listing of selectable links of other (not yet downloaded)recommended applications that provide similar functionality to theidentified application. The latter listing can, in turn, provide adescription of the functionality (including application developer and/orvendor, version, release, and/or last update date and a category or typeof application based on the application's functionality) and userratings and/or degree of other user downloading of the application(e.g., a star rating assigned based on one or more of the foregoinginputs).

The functions of the first, second, third, and fourth hotkeys 788, 792,794, and 796 can change depending on system state, context, and/or,within a selected screen and/or panel, based on a content or currentlyselected portion of (or relative cursor position on) the screen.Commonly, a currently assigned function of any of the first, second,third, and fourth hotkeys 788, 792, 794, and 796 depends on a currentlyaccessed silo and/or panel (with which the user is currently interactingwithin the silo). In other words, a first function of one of the first,second, third, and fourth hotkeys 788, 792, 794, and 796 is activated bythe respective hotkey in a first system state while a different secondfunction is activated by the respective hotkey in a different secondsystem state. In another example, a third function of one of the first,second, third, and fourth hotkeys 788, 792, 794, and 796 is activated bythe respective hotkey when a user focus (or currently selected cursorposition or screen portion) is at a first screen position while adifferent fourth function is activated by the respective hotkey when auser focus (or currently selected cursor position or screen portion) isat a different second screen position. The first screen position can,for instance, be within an icon while the second screen position isoutside of the icon. Hotkey functionality that could be enabled when inthe first screen position may be “configure” and “remove” and disabledis “add”, and, when in the second position hotkey functionality enabledcan be “add” and disabled is “configure” and “remove”. Generally, thestates of hotkeys can include normal (for enabled actions or functions),disabled (when an action or function is temporarily disabled), pressed(when selected by a user to command an action or function to beperformed), and unavailable (when no association between the hotkey andan action or function is currently available). While examples of hotkeyfunctions are discussed below, it is to be understood that these are notintended to be exhaustive or limiting examples.

The first hotkey 788, when selected in a first system state, can enablethe user to assign, change, or edit a name of an input source. It istypically enabled only when the input source of HDMI, Comp/YPbPr (e.g.,component video cables), video output, and VGA is in focus. Whenselected in a second system state, the first hotkey 788 can return theuser to a top of a scrollable collection of objects, such as applicationicons.

The second hotkey 792 may show all or less. In other words, the hotkey792 can allow the user to show all inputs, including theunconnected/undetected ones and to hide the unconnected/undetectedinputs, e.g., to expand and collapse the silo/input list. Each inputsource can have one of two states, namely connected/detected andunconnected/undetected. Some input sources, including Live TV, VOD,media center, and application center are always connected/detected.

The moveable joystick 900 on the bottom of the remote control 700, whenmanipulated, can cause a displayed image on the Intelligent TV 100screen to be displaced a proportional amount. In other words, thedisplayed image is displaced substantially simultaneously withdisplacement of the joystick 900 within the joystick aperture 904 in thebottom housing 712 of the remote control. As shown in FIGS. 9B-C, thejoystick 900 moves or slides between forward and reverse positions.Releasing the joystick 900 causes the joystick 900 to return to thecenter position of FIG. 9A, and the window to move or slide upwardly(when the joystick is released from the joystick position of FIG. 9B) ordownwardly (when the joystick is released from the joystick position ofFIG. 9C) until it disappears from view as shown in FIG. 11A. The effecton the screen of the Intelligent TV 100 is shown in FIGS. 11A-C. In FIG.11A, video content, such as TV programming, a video, movie, and thelike, is being displayed by front surface of the screen 212. In FIG.11B, the joystick 900 is moved or slid to the upper position of FIG. 9B,and a drop down window or panel 1100 moves or slides down (at thesubstantially the same rate of joystick 900 movement) at the top of thescreen 212. In FIG. 11C, the joystick 900 is moved or slid to the lowerposition of FIG. 9C, and a drop up window or panel 1100 moves or slidesup (at the substantially the same rate of joystick 900 movement) at thebottom of the screen 212. The window 1100 partially covers the videocontent appearing on the remainder of the screen 212 and/or causes aportion of the screen 212 displaying video content to move and/orcompress up or down the height of the window 1100.

The window 1100 can include one or more of information (which istypically information related to a currently displayed image and/orcontent (e.g., panel navigation bar, detailed information (e.g., title,date/time, audio/visual indicator, rating, and genre), and hotkey bar(defining current functional associations of hotkeys)), browse requests,and/or search requests. Commonly, the window 1100 includes suitableinformation about the content (such as name, duration, and/or remainingviewing duration of content), settings information, TV or system controlinformation, application (activation) icons (such as for pre-installedand/or downloaded applications such as application center, media centerand Web browser), and/or information about input source(s), When thejoystick 900 is in either the forward or reverse position, the user canselect an actuator on the front of the remote control, such as the OKbutton 764, and be taken, by displayed images on the screen 212, toanother location in the user interface, such as a desktop. This processcan be done in a nonintrusive manner and without affecting the flow ofcontent that is pushed up or down. The joystick 900 could be moved,additionally or differently, from side-to-side to cause the window toappear at the left or right edge of the screen 212.

An alternative actuator configuration is shown in FIG. 10. The actuatorsare substantially the same as those of FIGS. 7-9 except that the socialnetwork button 1000, when selected, can automatically select content andpublish, via a social network service or other social media, the contentto a social network or online community. User or viewer comments and/orother messages can be included in the outbound message. For example, allor one or frames or portions of media content (such as a video, music, aphotograph, a picture, or text) can be provided automatically to apredetermined or selected group of people via Linked-In™, Myspace™,Twitter™, YouTube™, DailyMotion™, Facebook™, Google+™) or Second Life™.The user, upon activating the button 1000 could, in response, select asocial forum or media upon which the selected content (which is thecontent displayed to the user when the social network button 1000 isactivated) is to be posted and/or a predetermined group within thatsocial media to which the content is to be posted. Alternatively, theseselections could be preconfigured or preselected by the user.

The social network button can also be used to “turn up” or “turn down” asocial volume visualization. The Intelligent TV 100 can createdynamically a visualization of aggregated connections (and inboundand/or outbound messages) from a variety of social networks. Theaggregation (and inbound and outbound messages) can be depictedgraphically on the screen as a volume of connections to influence theviewer user. With a social volume visualization, selected contents ofeach linked social network profile of a social contact (and inboundand/or outbound messages from or to the linked social network contactand/or current activity of the social contact (such as watching the sameprogramming or content the viewer is currently watching) can bepresented in a separate tile (or visually displayed object). The size ofthe tile can be related to any number of criteria, including arelationship of the linked social contact (e.g., a relative degree ofimportance or type of relationship can determine the relative size ofthe tile, a degree of influence of the linked social contact to thecurrent viewer, a geographic proximity of the linked social contact tothe current viewer, a degree to which the currently provided mediacontent is of interest to both the viewer and linked social contact(e.g., both parties enjoy war movies, murder mysteries, musicals,comedies, and the like), an assigned ranking of the linked viewer by theviewer, a type of social network type linking the viewer with the linkedsocial contact, a current activity of the social network contact (e.g.,currently watching the same content that the viewer is currentlywatching), a current online or offline status of the linked socialcontact, and a social network grouping type or category to which boththe viewer and linked social contact belong (e.g., work contact, bestfriend, family member, etc.).

The viewer can designate a portion of the screen to depict the socialnetwork aggregation. By turning the social volume up (+) or down (−),the viewer can increase the size and/or numbers of linked contact tilesprovided to the viewer. In other words, by increasing the social volumethe viewer can view, access, and/or push more social content from thoseof his or her social networks associated with him or her in a memory ofthe Intelligent TV. By decreasing the social volume, the viewer canview, access, and/or push less social content from his or her associatedsocial networks. By selecting the mute button 724, the viewer can stopor pause any interactivity with his or her associated social networks(e.g., inbound or outbound messages). Social volume and/or mute can beseparated into two (or more) volume settings for outbound and inboundsocial network activity. By way of illustration, a first volume setting,control, and/or button can control the volume for outbound socialnetwork activity (e.g., outbound social messages) while a second(different) volume setting, control, and/or button can control thevolume for inbound social network activity (e.g., inbound socialmessages). By way of further illustration, a first mute setting,control, and/or button can stop or pause outbound social networkactivity (e.g., outbound social messages) while a second (different)mute setting, control, and/or button can stop or pause inbound socialnetwork activity (e.g., inbound social messages).

A functional block diagram of the remote control is shown in FIG. 12.The remote control 700 includes a controller 1208 to control andsupervise remote control operations, optional wireless (RF) transceiver1224 and antenna 1244 to send and receive wireless signals to and fromthe Intelligent TV 100 and other external components, optional infraredemitter 1228 to emit infrared signals to the Intelligent TV 100,optional light emitting diode or LED driver 1232 to control LEDoperation to provide video-enabled feedback to the user, actuators 1220(including the various buttons and other actuators discussed above inconnection with FIGS. 7 and 10), and joystick 900, all interconnectedvia a bus 1248. An on board power source 1200 and power managementmodule 1204 provide power to each of these components via powercircuitry 1240. The infrared emitter 1228 and receiver (not shown) onthe Intelligent TV system 100 can be used to determine a displayedobject illuminated by the infrared signal and therefore adjust thedisplayed image, for example to indicate a focus of the user (e.g.,illuminate a displayed object or show cursor position relative todisplayed objects on the screen) and to determine and activate a desiredcommand of the user. This can be done by tracking a position of theremote control in relation to infrared tracking reference points (e.g.,a sensor bar or infrared LED's) positioned on or adjacent to the screenof the Intelligent TV 100. Motion tracking can further be augmentedusing position information received from a multi-axis gyroscope and/oraccelerometer on board the remote control (not shown).

An embodiment of a database 1400 for storing VOD content is shown onFIG. 14. In one non-limiting example, the database 1400 can include oneor more data structures 1404 for storing individual items of content.The database 1400 can include more or fewer data structures 1404 thanthose shown in FIG. 14, as represented by ellipses 1452. Each datastructure may contain one or more fields as shown in FIG. 14. However,each data structure may have more or fewer fields than those shown inFIG. 14, as represented by ellipses 1448.

The data structure 1404 can include one or more of, but is not limitedto, a VOD identifier field 1408, a data field 1412, a time field 1416, ametadata field 1420, a content field 1424, a view time field 1428, aview date field 1432, a view number field 1436, a status field 1440,and/or a user-defined attribute field 1444. Each of the fields cancontain information about an item of content. Content can mean anyvideo, picture, music, or other multimedia that may be available to theuser for viewing on the Intelligent TV 100. The fields may describe thecontent and/or information about the content.

A VOD identifier field 1408 can include an identifier that uniquelyidentifies the content associated with data structure 1404. Theidentifier can be any alphanumeric identifier, symbolic identifier,globally unique identifier (GUID), or other types of identifiers. Theidentifier in the VOD identifier field 1408 can uniquely identify thecontent in comparison to all other content, thus, the VOD identifier1408 is the only identifier of its type used within the database 1400.

The date field 1412 may include a date at which the content was createdand/or downloaded into the database 1400. The date 1412 can include anytype of date format, and may be a day, a year, and/or a month. The timefield 1416, similar to the date field 1412, can include a time at whichthe VOD was downloaded and/or created. The time 1416, with the date1412, gives an indication to the Intelligent Television 100 about whenthis item of VOD content was available to the user.

Metadata field 1420 can include information about the VOD content. Thisinformation can include the genre of the VOD content, the actors withinthe content, the director for the VOD, the location in which the contentwas created, for instance, whether the content is movie made in theUnited States, an Indian movie, a European movie, etc., the year atwhich the movie was created, or other such information about the VODcontent. This information may be used for collection sorting asdescribed hereinafter. Field 1424 includes the data for the content. Inone non-limiting example, the data can include an mpeg or other type ofvideo format data, which can be stored within field 1424.

The view time and view date fields, 1428, 1432, can include the lasttime and date at which the user viewed the VOD content. Thus, the viewtime 1428 can include a time at which the user either began watching thelast session with the content, or the time at which the user stoppedwatching the content during the last session. The view date 1432 alsoincludes the month, day, and/or year in which the user decided to lastwatch the content.

The view number field 1436 may include a counter for the number of timesthe user has accessed and viewed the content in data structure 1404. Theview count 1436 may be triggered by the viewing session that has lasteda predetermined period of time. For example, if the user watches an itemof content for more than five minutes, the view number 1436 canincrement. In other circumstances, any time an item of content isplayed, regardless of how long the user watches the content, the viewcount 1436 may increment. This view count 1436 persists into the future.

A status 1440 may indicate the status of the content from the lastviewing session. For example, if the content was half watched, thestatus indictor 1440 will indicate that the content was half completed.In other examples, the status 1440 indicates only the first time statusof the content. For example, during the first time the content isviewed, the status 1440 increments over some predetermined level, forexample, a quarter watched, half watched, three-quarters watched,completely watched, etc. This status 1440 is maintained regardless ofthe number of times the content is viewed. Therefore, if a content isviewed a second time, the status 1404 may only show the content has beenviewed. In other embodiments, the status 1440 may determine whether thecontent is new, recently viewed, a favorite, or other information.

User-defined field 1444 includes any kind of user-defined informationabout the content. For example, the user may set the content as afavorite, which may be stored in user-defined category 1444. There maybe other user-defined 1444 information, such as, whether the content isfor adults only, whether the content is to be maintained for a certainperson, etc.

An embodiment of a method 1500 for sorting VOD collections is shown inFIG. 15. While a general order for the steps of the method 1500 is shownin FIG. 15, the steps may be arranged in any order. Generally, themethod 1500 starts with a start operation 1504 and ends with an endoperation 1536. The method 1500 can include more or fewer steps or canarrange the order of the steps differently than those shown in FIG. 15.The method 1500 can be executed as a set of computer-executableinstructions, executed by a computer system, and encoded or stored on acomputer readable medium. Further, the method 1500 can be executed by agate or other hardware device or component in an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit, a Field Programmable Gate Array, or other type ofhardware device. Hereinafter, the method 1500 shall be explained withreference to the systems, components, modules, software, datastructures, user interfaces, etc. described herein.

The Intelligent TV 100 can receive content, in step 1508. In onenon-limiting example, the Intelligent TV 100 may connect through anetwork 132 to media application 150, or another source, such as digitalmedia library 148 for information about VOD content. This VOD contentmay be retrieved or pushed to the Intelligent TV 100. Regardless, theVOD content can be received through the port interface 352 and providedto the processor 364. In one non-limiting example, the processor 364 canexecute a VOD subservice 620, which can receive the content through aninstance of the VOD source plug-in 644. The VOD source plug-in 644 canretrieve or receive the VOD content and provide the VOD content to theVOD subservice 620 to be stored in database 632. Database 632 may be thesame or similar to database 1400 as described in conjunction with FIG.14. Thus, the information about the VOD content and the VOD contentitself may be sorted and stored in fields 1408 through 1424.

Thereinafter, the user may select a button on the remote control 700,such as button 740, to preview or look at available VOD content. The VODsubservice 620 may read the metadata field 1420 to determine informationabout the VOD content. The metadata characteristics 1420 may then beused to sort the VOD content into collections, in step 1516. Forexample, the video subservice 620 can sort the VOD content into acollection based on geographical area or date of issue of the VOD. TheVOD subservice 620 may then provide this information to the panelmanager 536 of the user interface application 468. The panel manager 536may then provide a view of the content, in step 1518. This view may be asorted selection of content, such as a collection view 1704, shown inFIG. 17.

Thereinafter, the user may provide user-defined criteria. Theuser-defined criteria may be entered through a remote control 700, orsome other user interface, and can be provided to the VOD subservice620. The user-defined criteria may be stored in the user-defined field1444 of database 1400. Thereinafter, the VOD subservice 620 maydetermine if there are user-defined criteria that exist, in step 1520.In one non-limiting example, the user may enter a button on remotecontrol 700 to sort the content based on the user-defined criteria. TheVOD subservice 620 may then read any information from the user-definedfield 1444 to determine if criteria exist. If no criteria exist, themethod 1500 moves through the NO branch back to step 1516 to sort thecollections based on metadata. However, if user-defined criteria doesexist, the method 1500 proceeds YES to step 1524.

In step 1524, the VOD subservice 620 may receive the criteria and storethat criteria in field 1444, in step 1525. Thus, if the data or criteriais being received by the user, the VOD subservice 620 can store anyuser-defined criteria in field 1444.

Thereinafter, the VOD subservice 620 may access the user-definedcriteria 1444 to sort the collection or VOD content, in step 1528. TheVOD subservice 620 may determine the sort that is desired by the userbased on inputs into user interface and use that information to sort thecontent view. The sort may be based on such things as whether or not thecontent is a favorite, whether the content is appropriate for children,or some other type of criteria. Once sorted, the VOD subservice 620provides the sort information to the panel manager 536 to provide a viewof the sorted content, in step 1532. The content may have a similar view1704, shown in FIG. 17, but have a different arrangement of the contentthumbnails based on the sort criteria.

An embodiment of a method 1600 to provide a series of contextual andeasily understood panels to navigate through VOD content is shown inFIG. 16. While a general order for the steps of the method 1600 is shownin FIG. 16, the steps may be arranged in any order. Generally, themethod 1600 starts with a start operation 1604 and ends with an endoperation 1652. The method 1600 can include more or fewer steps or canarrange the order of the steps differently than those shown in FIG. 16.The method 1600 can be executed as a set of computer-executableinstructions, executed by a computer system, and encoded or stored on acomputer readable medium. Further, the method 1600 can be executed by agate or other hardware device or component in an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit, a Field Programmable Gate Array, or other type ofhardware device. Hereinafter, the method 1600 shall be explained withreference to the systems, components, modules, software, datastructures, user interfaces, etc. described herein.

The Intelligent TV 100 can receive a selection for VOD content, in step1608. In one non-limiting example, the user may select a VOD button 740,on a remote control 700, which sends a signal to the IR/RF module 354 ofthe Intelligent TV 100. The signal may then be sent to the processor364, which translates the signal with a driver 420, and provides theinformation to the user interface 468 and the VOD subservice 620. Thepanel manager 536 and/or the silo manager 532 may then receive thesignal through the input event dispatcher 508 from the processor 364 andact upon the signal to provide a master view of the content, in step1612.

The views for the VOD content are broken down into a series ofhierarchical steps that allow the user to easily navigate through VODcontent. For example, the hierarchical steps may be as shown in FIG. 17and FIG. 18. In one non-limiting example, a set of user interfaces 1700,1800 proceed through four categories to play VOD content. A master viewselection 1708, 1804 is a top tier user interface that allows the userto select a type of collection shown in tier 1712. A collection view1704, 1808 uses a list of media based on a target or sort criteria. Theuser may then select some type of content from the collection view 1808to be provided in either a digest view 1724 or a detail view 1728 intier 1716, 1812. A digest view 1724 shows a view of a television seriesor series of episodes, where a description of the series and a set ofepisodes is provided. If there is no series with the content selected,the detail view 1728 may be provided, which gives information for thecontent which was selected. From one of these views, the user may thenselect a particular content to play or select a play icon, which maythen provide a player view 1816 in tier 1720. In the player view 1816,the actual content is provided to the user and played per theirselection.

Thus, the panel manager 536 upon having a receipt of VOD can provide themaster view to the user. The master view 1900 then presents informationas shown in FIG. 19. A header navigation bar 1944 provides forselections of types of VOD content. For example, the user can selectshowcase material 1904, movies 1908, TV series 1912, or variety programs1916. This first selection may allow the user to navigate to a contentor collection view, including that type of material. Further, there area series of thumbnails to select to navigate to different types ofcollections. For example, the user can select a special topics icon 1920to proceed to special content. The user can select a recommendedthumbnail 1924 to navigate to a recommenced collection. The user canselect favorites thumbnail 1928 to navigate to a favorite's collection.Similarly, the user can select a top watched thumbnail 1932 or a newthumbnail 1936 to navigate to either the top watched content or the newcontent. Finally, the user can select an all movies thumbnail 1940 toview a collection of all movies currently available as VOD. The user maythen make a selection of a collection using the directional pad 760 orsome other remote control button.

The selection signal may then be received thorough the IR/RF module 354and provided to the processor 364 to be translated by a driver 420 andthe can be sent to the user interface 468. In one non-limiting example,the user interface 468 may receive collection information from the VODsubservice 620. A selection of content in the collection of content maybe received, in step 1616, and can cause the panel manager 536 toprovide a collection view 1712, in step 1620. The user may then selectthe type of content from the collection view, where this signal isreceived by the processor 364, in step 1624.

The VOD subservice 620 may then determine if the received selection is amovie, a single show, a series, or other types of content. In this way,the VOD subservice 620 can determine if a digest view or a detail viewshould be provided. If the selection is associated with a series withtwo or more episodes, a digest view 1724 should be provided. Incontrast, if a single show, movie, or a series with only a singleepisode is selected, a detail view 1728 should be provided. Thus, theVOD subservice 620 or the panel manager 536 can determine if theselection is a movie or a series. If the selection is a series, themethod 1600 proceeds through the SERIES branch to step 1632. If theselection is a movie or single show, the method 1600 moves through theMOVIE branch to step 1644.

In step 1632, a digest view 1724 may be provided to the user. A digestview, similar to that shown in view 1724, FIG. 17, provides adescription or view of the series and then the ability to select one ormore episodes in that series. The user may then move the focus onto asingle episode using the directional pad 760, or some other userinterface device, and select the episode to be viewed. This selectionmay then be received by the processor 364 and provided to user interfaceapplication 468. The selection of the episode 1636 causes the userinterface to request content information 1424 from the VOD subservice620, which can provide that content information 1424 from database 1400to the user interface application 468. The user interface application468 may then provide a view of the content, in step 1640. For example,the user interface application 468 can provide a player view 1720, whichshows the content being viewed.

In the detail view provided by the user interface application 468, instep 1644, the user interface application 468 provides informationspecific about a single show, movie, or episode. This detail view may bethe same or similar to view 1728, shown in FIG. 17. The user may selectto play the episode from the detail view 1728. This selection to playmay be received by the processor 364, in step 1648, through similarprocedures as provided above. The selection can cause the user interfaceapplication 468 to provide a player view 1720 and provide a view of thecontent, in step 1640, similar to the processes as that described above.

The series of views that are performed by executing process 1600 can beas shown in FIG. 18. In one non-limiting example, the series 1800includes a master view selection 1804. By selecting something in themaster view, a collection view from the set 1808 is provided. Byselecting a type of content within the collection view, the IntelligentTV 100 provides either a digest view or a detailed view, such as in set1812. By selecting to play an episode in set 1812, the Intelligent TV100 provides a player view 1816. FIG. 18 shows the hierarchical order ofthe menus, which is intuitive to a user.

A method for providing several views of programming is shown in FIG. 20.While a general order for the steps of the method 2000 is shown in FIG.20, the steps may be arranged in any order. Generally, the method 2000starts with a start operation 2004 and ends with an end operation 2040.The method 2000 can include more or fewer steps or can arrange the orderof the steps differently than those shown in FIG. 20. The method 2000can be executed as a set of computer-executable instructions, executedby a computer system, and encoded or stored on a computer readablemedium. Further, the method 2000 can be executed by a gate or otherhardware device or component in an Application Specific IntegratedCircuit, a Field Programmable Gate Array, or other type of hardwaredevice. Hereinafter, the method 2000 shall be explained with referenceto the systems, components, modules, software, data structures, userinterfaces, etc. described herein.

The user may select a VOD request through the remote control 700, byselecting button 740, in step 2008. The VOD selection may be receivedthrough the IR/RF module 354 at the processor 364. The signal may betranslated by a driver 420 and provided to the VOD subservice 620 and/orthe user interface application 468.

The user interface application 468 may execute a panel manager 536 orsilo manager 532 through the input event dispatcher 508 to switch to theVOD silo through the silo transition control 504. The silo manager 532may then provide a master layout view with collections for showcase,movie, TV, and variety programs, in step 2012. For example, the panelmanage 536 may provide the panel shown in FIG. 21. In one non-limitingexample, the user interface 2100 provides a navigation bar 2120 havingselectable devices 2104 through 2116. The device 2104 allows the user toselect a master layout view for showcase material. The user interfacedevice 2108 allows the user to select a master layout view for movies.The user interface device 2112 allows the user to select a master layoutfor TV series, while selecting device 2116 provides a master layout forvariety programs.

The user may then use the directional pad 760, or some other remotecontrol button on remote control 700, to select one of the four userinterface devices, 2104 through 2116, on the navigation bar 2120. Forexample, the user may put the focus (e.g., the focus is currently on the“Showcase” selection 2104 in FIG. 21) on one of the text displays innavigation bar 2120 in user interface 2100, and then select an OK button764 to select the material for that user interface device 2104-2116.

The selection is received, again, through the processor 364 and providedto the panel manager 536, in step 2016. The panel manager 536 must thendetermine which of the four categories was selected, in step 2020. Inone non-limiting example, the panel manager 536 determines which of thedevices 2104 through 2116 had focus when selected by the user. If theselection was for the “Showcase” 2104, the method 2000 proceeds to theSHOWCASE branch to step 2024. If the selection was for a “movie” 2108,the method 2000 proceeds to the MOVIE branch to step 2028. If the userselected the “TV series” device 2112, method 2000 proceeds to the TVbranch to step 2032. Finally, if the user selected device 2116, themethod 2000 proceeds to the VARIETY branch to step 2036.

In step 2024, the panel manager 526 provides a showcase user interface,in step 2024. For example, the panel manager 536 may provide theshowcase user interface 2200 shown in FIG. 22. In one non-limitingexample, the showcase view provides thumbnails 2204 through 2216. Eachof these thumbnails represents a different topic or collection ofshowcase material. Showcase material can be any type of material fromthe other categories that is pertinent to the user and in which the usermay have a desire to watch. Thus, the showcase view 2200 has selectionof content from all categories and may be organized by last viewed,represented by thumbnail 2204, special topics content, represented bythumbnail 2208, top watched content, represented by thumbnail 2212,and/or high definition content, represented by thumbnail 2216. Thus, theshowcase user interface can organize all content based on criteria thatare either user-defined criteria or are predetermined criteria based onstatistics associated with the underlying content.

If the user selects the variety user interface device 2212, the panelmanager 536 can provide a panel manager user interface 2300 as shown inFIG. 23. Variety programming can be any programming not necessarilyassociated with a movie or TV series. For example, variety programmingcan include documentaries, special interest shows, or other types ofcontent. The variety programs can have one or more thumbnails, whichorganize the content and allow the user to select a collection to definecontent. These thumbnails may represent certain topics, for example,thumbnail 2304 represents specials topics contents, thumbnail 2308represents recommended content, thumbnail 2312 represents user selectedfavorites content, thumbnail 2304 represents new content, thumbnail 2320represents top watched or most viewed content, and thumbnail 2316 canrepresent all types of variety content. These thumbnails 2304-2324 maybe selected by the user to be provided with a collection view that isorganized based on the associated category that was chosen by the user.Thumbnails may be provided from the thumbnail database 632.

If the user selects the movie device 2108, the panel manager 536 canprovide user interface 2400 shown in FIG. 24. The panel manager, in step2028, provides this user interface 2400 with thumbnails 2404-2424,similar to those described in conjunction with the variety userinterface in FIG. 23. Thus, the user may, again, select one or moremovies, or collections of movies, based on the top categories or thecategories listed by the thumbnails in user interface 2400.

If the user selects the TV series device 2112, the panel manager 536 canprovide a TV user interface 2500 shown in FIG. 25, in step 2032. In onenon-limiting example, the panel manager 536, again, provides a series ofthumbnails 2504-2524, which may be the same or similar to thosedescribed in conjunction with the variety user interface in FIG. 23.Further, one or more of the thumbnails may provide several views ofdifferent content. For example, user interface device 2504 may sequencethrough a series of thumbnails representing different types of series.For example, the user interface device 2504 shows a “Game of Thrones”thumbnail. However, the next sequenced thumbnail may apply to the TVseries “Homeland.” Thus, the user may view more types of content withinone area of user interface 2500 than that shown in any instant of time.These types of sequenced or moving thumbnails may be used in any of theuser interfaces described hereinabove.

An embodiment of the method 2600 for providing a collection view ofcontent is shown in FIG. 26. While a general order for the steps of themethod 2600 is shown in FIG. 26, the steps may be arranged in any order.Generally, the method 2600 starts with a start operation 2604 and endswith an end operation 2636. The method 2600 can include more or fewersteps or can arrange the order of the steps differently than those shownin FIG. 26. The method 2600 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions, executed by a computer system, andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Further, the method2600 can be executed by a gate or other hardware device or component inan Application Specific Integrated Circuit, a Field Programmable GateArray, or other type of hardware device. Hereinafter, the method 2600shall be explained with reference to the systems, components, modules,software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described herein.

The panel manager 536 can provide a master layout view, in step 2608.Thus, as described in conjunction with FIGS. 2000 through 2500, thepanel manager 536 using information provided by the VOD subservice 620can provide a master layout view.

The user may select a thumbnail within one of the user interface devicesshown in FIGS. 21 through 25. The selection may be made using adirectional pad 760 to change the focus onto one of the thumbnails and,using the OK button 764, select that thumbnail. The remote controlsignal may then be sent to the Intelligent TV 100 through the IR/RFmodule 354 to the processor 364. A driver 420 interprets the signal andprovides the translation to the user interface application 468. In onenon-limiting example, an input event dispatcher 508 may then send thatinformation to the panel manager 536 to indicate that a selection hasbeen made. A panel manager 536 thus can receive the selection, in step2612.

Based on the selection, the panel manager 536 sends the information ofthe selection to the VOD subservice 620. The VOD subservice 620 may thendetermine which content is applicable to the selection, in step 2616. Inone non-limiting example, the VOD subservice 620 may be providedinformation from the panel manager 536 as to which of the category wasselected. For example, the user can select high definition content, mostwatched content, top favorites content, most viewed content, or othertypes of content, as described in conjunction with FIGS. 20 through 25.Once determined, the VOD subservice 620 may then access database 632that includes the information described in FIG. 14.

In one non-limiting example, the VOD subservice 620 may search metadata1420 or other information in fields 1428 through 1444 and fields 1412through 1416. This information may be accessed to determine whichcontent applies to the selected category. For example, most recent ornew content may have a date and time 412, 416, that is within a certaintimeframe or period of time. Further, the VOD subservice 620 can accessthe view count 1436 to determine if the information has been viewed oris new. The view time and view date 428 and 432 may also be used todetermine whether the content is new. Further, the view count 436 may beused to determine if the content is most watched. The status indicator1440 can also be used to provide information for different categories;also, the user-defined field 1444 can be used to determine if the itemis a favorite. Thus, the VOD subservice 620 can access any of theinformation in data structure 1404 to determine which content isapplicable to the selection. This content may then be provided to thepanel manager 536.

The panel manager 536 can then provide a new view of a collection ofcontent, in step 2612. In the content view, the panel manager 536 cannow provide a series of filter criteria to allow the user to furtherfilter the collections to better target a particular type or single itemof content, in step 2612. The panel manager 536 can provide a first userinterface having one or more filter criteria, such as user interface2700. For example, in FIG. 27A, user interface 2700 provides one or morefilter criteria shown in section 2704. In one non-limiting example, thefilter criteria 2704 can apply to a region in which the movie wascreated 2708. Past filter criteria are shown in section 2712. The filtercriteria 2704 can include a type of content, a year in which content wasmade, or other such types of filtering selections.

The user may then move the focus, with the directional pad 760, tohighlight one of the filter selections. The selection may be selected,by using button 764, to send a signal to the Intelligent Television 100.The signal is received as described hereinbefore and provided to thepanel manager 536. The panel manager 536 determines the selection madeand provides that to the video subservice 620, which further refines thesearch for content provided to the panel manager 536. The panel manager536 may then provide a next user interface with the content filtered, instep 2620. Thus, the user can navigate through one or more differenttypes of filters to better categorize or reduce the amount of contentavailable for selection, such as user interfaces 2720 and 2724 in FIGS.27B and 27C.

The panel manager 536 can then determine if the current selection is thelast filter selection made, in step 2624. For example, the user may beable to select a content viewed in section 2716, in which case nofurther filter criteria is needed. In other embodiments, it may be thelast of the type of filter criteria available or there may be only asingle item of content or a small set of content to be provided in alast screen. If it is the last filter criteria selected, the method 2600proceeds YES to step 2628. If it is not the last filter criteriaselected, the method 2624 can proceed through the NO branch back to step2612 to receive another filter selection. In step 2628, the VODsubservice 620 provides the last selection of content to the panelmanager 536. The panel manager 536 may then present this content to theuser. The user may then select a content, in which case the panelmanager 536 receives that selection, in step 2628. Based on that type ofselection, the panel manager 536 may provide a detailed view, describedhereinbefore, to view the content for the user, in step 2632.

The filter views can be presented in two types of user interfaces shownin FIGS. 28 and 29. The user interface 2800 provides a filter bar orfilter categories in the navigation bar as shown in user interface 2800.The filter bar can include one or more filter criteria as shown insection or view 2804. Thus, depending on the types of filter category,including genres, dates, regions, etc., the navigation bar can containdifferent filter criteria.

In FIG. 29, the filter criteria may be provided in one or more areasinside a user interface 2900. For example, a last used filter criteriamay be shown in section 2904, while selectable filter criteria may beshown in section 2908. A view of possible content associated or that maybe provided with such a search is shown in section 2912. The userinterface 2900, shown in FIG. 29, may be the same or similar as thatshown in FIG. 27A.

An embodiment of a method 3000 for providing a collection view afterfiltering category is shown in FIG. 30. While a general order for thesteps of the method 3000 is shown in FIG. 30, the steps may be arrangedin any order. Generally, the method 3000 starts with a start operation3004 and ends with an end operation 3036. The method 3000 can includemore or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differentlythan those shown in FIG. 30. The method 3000 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions, executed by a computer system, andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Further, the method3000 can be executed by a gate or other hardware device or component inan Application Specific Integrated Circuit, a Field Programmable GateArray, or other type of hardware device. Hereinafter, the method 3000shall be explained with reference to the systems, components, modules,software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described herein.

The panel manager 536 can receive a selection for a collection of moviesfrom a master view or collection view after a filtered categoryselection, in step 3008. For example, after proceeding through theprocess described in conjunction with FIG. 26, the panel manager 536 maydetermine a collection of movies that applies to the filter categoriesprovided by the user. This final selection received through the remotecontrol 700 at the panel manager 536 can be provided to the VODsubservice 620.

The VOD subservice 620 can determine the collection of movies that applyto the filter category, in step 3012. The panel manager 536 thusprovides the VOD subservice 620 with the filtering categories orinformation in which the VOD subservice 620 searches the database 1400for content applicable to that filter selection or selections. Thiscollection of content may be provided back to the panel manager 536 withthe thumbnail information or other content information. The thumbnailsmay be retrieved by the thumbnail cache manager 660 from the thumbnailsdatabase 668. This collection information is then given to the panelmanager 536.

The panel manager 536 may then provide the catalog view of thecollection, in step 3016. For example, the panel manager 536 can providea user interface similar to that shown in FIG. 31. In one non-limitingexample, the user interface 3100 is directed towards movie content asindicated by the title 3104. At least three filter criteria have beenreceived, as shown in navigation bar 3108. The collection view includesa content area 3112 that provides one or more thumbnails that areassociated with content that are available based on the filter criteriain 3108. For example, thumbnail 3116 can be for a movie that is returnedby the VOD subservice 620 based on the filter criteria 3108. Thethumbnails, such as thumbnail 3116, are selectable and, if selected,instruct the Intelligent TC 100 to provide content.

An embodiment of a method 3200 for providing a catalog view andsubsequent detail and series use for TV series and/or variety series isshown in FIG. 32. While a general order for the steps of the method 3200is shown in FIG. 32, the steps may be arranged in any order. Generally,the method 3200 starts with a start operation 3204 and ends with an endoperation 3252. The method 3200 can include more or fewer steps or canarrange the order of the steps differently than those shown in FIG. 32.The method 3200 can be executed as a set of computer-executableinstructions, executed by a computer system, and encoded or stored on acomputer readable medium. Further, the method 3200 can be executed by agate or other hardware device or component in an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit, a Field Programmable Gate Array, or other type ofhardware device. Hereinafter, the method 3200 shall be explained withreference to the systems, components, modules, software, datastructures, user interfaces, etc. described herein.

On receiving filter criteria, in step 3212, the panel manager 536 andVOD subservice 620 can provide a catalog view, in step 3216. Receiving afilter criteria and providing a catalog view may be as described inconjunction with FIGS. 26 and 30 described hereinbefore.

The panel manager 536 may receive a series selection, in step 3220. Inone non-limiting example, the user may use the remote control 700 tomove a focus with the directional pad 760 and select the focusedthumbnail with button 764. For example, as shown in FIG. 33, the focus,in user interface 3300, is placed on the series “Game of Thrones,”represented by thumbnail 3304. The thumbnails, shown in user interface3300, were provided in reaction to providing filter criteria 3308. Theuser may select the Game of Thrones thumbnail by selecting the OK button764. The selection for this series is received by the panel manager 536,in step 3220.

The selection may then be provided to the VOD subservice 620. The VODsubservice 620 may then determine if there is more than one seasonavailable for the series selected, e.g., “Game of Thrones,” in step3224. If there is only a single season, the method proceeds through theONE branch to step 3232. However, if there is more than one season, themethod proceeds through the GREATER THAN ONE branch to step 3228.

In step 3228, the VOD subservice 620 may determine if all the seasons,or episodes within the seasons, have been aired. For example, if thereare four seasons and the fourth season is completely aired, then thesort criteria can be different. However, if the fourth season has notbeen completely aired, there may be different sort criteria for thatsituation. If all seasons have been aired, the seasons can be orderedand provided to the panel manager 536 in order from the first season tothe last season. However, if the last season has not been fully aired,these seasons are provided to the panel manager 536 from the most recentseason to the oldest season.

The VOD subservice 620 can also determine, in step 3232, if the seriesis fully archived. In this case, for example, if all the episodes withina season have been received and archived in the VOD database 632. If theseries is fully archived, the method 3200 proceeds YES to step 3236. Ifthe season is not fully archived, then the method proceeds NO to step3240.

The VOD subservice 620 can provide the series with the episodes arrangedin ascending order if all the series have been archived, in step 3236.For example, if the fourth season is fully archived, the episodes withinthat season may be listed from episode one to the last episode. Incontrast, in step 3240, if the series is not fully archived, the VODsubservice 620 can arrange the episodes in descending order. Forexample, if season four is not fully archived, the episodes may bearranged from the last latest episode to the first episode.

The panel manager 536 may receive this information and then provide auser interface having this type of arranged seasons and episodes, instep 3242. For example, the panel manager 536 can provide a userinterface 3400 similar to that shown in FIG. 34. In one non-limitingexample, the user interface 3400 includes a section for the seasonlistings 3412. As explained previously, if the seasons are fully aired,the user interface device 3416 will contain the first season, while theuser interface device 3420 can include the last season. In contrast, ifthe seasons are not fully aired, user interface device 3416 will includethe last season, while device 3350 will include the first season orearlier seasons.

The episodes may be arranged in section 3404. Again, as explainedpreviously, if the seasons are fully archived, the episodes are arrangedin ascending order with display 3424 including the first episode of theseason and with user interface section 3428 including a later airedepisode. In contrast, if the episode or season is not fully archived,user interface portion 3424 can provide information about the last airedepisode, while a portion 3428 will include information about an episodeaired previously or in the past. The section 3408 may includeinformation about the series, including a poster or thumbnail that givesa visual representation of the season, and a description of the series.

Another example of the digest view for a series of television shows orvariety shows is shown in FIG. 35. The user interface 3500 can display aseries, e.g., Game of Thrones. The season listing is shown in section3504, while the episode listings for season three is shown in section3508. One episode 3512 is shown in focus. These displays are governed bythe same rules that were explained previously.

The user may then select an episode using the directional pads 760 andthe selection button 764 as described herein, in step 3244. Theselection may be for an episode. For example, the episode with the focus3512 shown in FIG. 35 may be selected. On receiving a selection, the VODsubservice 620 can provide the content information 354 to the panelmanager 536. The panel manager 536 may then provide a view for playback3600 shown in FIG. 36, in step 3248. In one non-limiting example, theuser interface 3600 can provide the content in portion 3616. The usermay control the playback using playback controls 3612. Uniquely, theplayback user interface 3600 can also show tiles of thumbnails that areselectable by the user to move to a next episode 3604 or previousepisode 3608 in the series. In this way, for TV series or varietyseries, the user may easily navigate between episodes in a season withthese controls in the playback view.

A method 3700 for toggling between the status of programs is shown inFIG. 37. While a general order for the steps of the method 3700 is shownin FIG. 37, the steps may be arranged in any order. Generally, themethod 3700 starts with a start operation 3704 and ends with an endoperation 3724. The method 3700 can include more or fewer steps or canarrange the order of the steps differently than those shown in FIG. 37.The method 3700 can be executed as a set of computer-executableinstructions, executed by a computer system, and encoded or stored on acomputer readable medium. Further, the method 3700 can be executed by agate or other hardware device or component in an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit, a Field Programmable Gate Array, or other type ofhardware device. Hereinafter, the method 3700 shall be explained withreference to the systems, components, modules, software, datastructures, user interfaces, etc. described herein.

In one non-limiting example, the user may be provided a catalog view, instep 3708. The panel manager 536 can provide a catalog view, similar tothat shown in FIG. 38. In one non-limiting example, the catalog view3800 includes a bunch of thumbnails for example, thumbnail 3804, thatare associated with a type of content. These content thumbnails may bearranged in any type of order based on filter criteria. The user maythen select an icon 3808 to watch the content provided in the catalogview 3800. This selection may be completed, for example, by the userplacing focus on device 3808 with the directional pad 716 and selectingdevice 3808 with the button 764. In other embodiments, the device 3808may be associated with button 794, and when selected, automaticallyselects device 3808. This selection is received by the processor 364 andprovided to the panel manager 536 in step 3712.

Based on the selection, the content in user interface 3800 may bearranged based on whether the program has been watched or not. Forexample, the user may select to watch only programs that have beenpreviously watched, which may be displayed in user interface 3800.However, the watch status may be different, and the user may desire towatch programs that are in progress. Further, the user may desire towatch only programs or view programs that have not been watchedpreviously. Thus, the panel manager 536 can determine which category orwatched category is requested, in step 3716.

In step 3716, the panel manager 536 may determine the context of theinterface 3800. The context means what type of watched status iscurrently being displayed. If the user interface device 3808 isselected, the panel manager 536 can determine what is the next categoryfor watched status. The next category may then be provided to the VODsubservice 620 to search the database 1400 for status information 1370,which is associated with that watched category. The content having thatwatched status is provided back to the panel manager 536 to render inthe user interface 3800. Thus, the content thumbnails shown in userinterface 3800 will change based on the watched status being provided.Thus, the panel manager 536 can change the view of user interface 3800to sort by the watched category, in step 3720. The view may thus betoggled between watched status, in progress status, or not watchedstatus.

A method 3900 for providing playback of VOD is shown in FIG. 39. While ageneral order for the steps of the method 3900 is shown in FIG. 39, thesteps may be arranged in any order. Generally, the method 3900 startswith a start operation 3904 and ends with an end operation 3940. Themethod 3900 can include more or fewer steps or can arrange the order ofthe steps differently than those shown in FIG. 39. The method 3900 canbe executed as a set of computer-executable instructions, executed by acomputer system, and encoded or stored on a computer readable medium.Further, the method 3900 can be executed by a gate or other hardwaredevice or component in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit, aField Programmable Gate Array, or other type of hardware device.Hereinafter, the method 3900 shall be explained with reference to thesystems, components, modules, software, data structures, userinterfaces, etc. described herein.

A user interface application 468 provides a catalog view for an item ofcontent, in step 3908. A catalog view may be as described in conjunctionwith FIG. 38. The intelligent television 100 can receive a selection toplay VOD content, in step 3912. The user may place focus on a selection3804 in the catalog view 3800 and press a select button using a remotecontrol 700, as has been described previously herein.

The selection signal may be sent to the user interface application 468and/or the VOD subservice 620. The user interface application 468 and/orthe VOD subservice 620 may then determine if a user has previouslywatched the selected content, in step 3916. The VOD subservice 620stores the watch status 1440 in database 1400, as described inconjunction with FIG. 14. The status 1440 is associated with the content1424 in data structure 1404. This status information 1440 may beretrieved from the data base 1400 by the VOD subservice 620 and providedto the user interface application 468.

If the user has previously watched the content, the method 3900 proceedsYES to step 3920. In step 3920, the user interface application 468 maythen, based on if the status 1440 shows that the user previously viewedthe content, prompt the user if the user desires to resume watching thecontent. The user interface application 468 can provide a notificationor other user interface device alerting the user that the user hadpreviously watched the content. The user interface device may have aselectable button or other device to resume watching the content. Theuser interface application can determine if the user desires to resumewatching the content based on the selection of the button, in step 3920.If the user selects the button, the method 3900 proceeds YES to step3924 where the content is resumed from the point at which the user hadstopped watching. If the user does not select the button, the method3900 proceeds NO to step 3928 where the user interface application 468begins the playback of the content from a beginning of the content. Ifthe user has not previously watched the content, the method 3900proceeds NO to step 3928 where the user interface application 468 alsoplays the content from a beginning of the content.

During playback, the user may select a button on a remote control 700 toview playback controls, in step 3932. The playback controls may be thesame or similar to those described in conjunction with FIG. 36. Inresponse to receiving the playback controls selection, the userinterface application 468 can provide the playback controls for apredetermined amount of time, in step 3936. The predetermined amount oftime can be any time period, for example, 10 seconds, a minute, fiveminutes, etc.

The playback controls 3612 may be in a footer, as shown in FIG. 36. Afirst user-selectable device 3608 for navigating to a previous episodemay be provided to the left of the playback controls 3612 in the footer.A second user-selectable device 3604, for navigating to a next episode,may be provided to a right of the playback controls 3612 in the footer.The playback controls 3612 can include selections to rewind the content,forward the content, play the content, and pause the content. Othercontrols are possible and envisioned.

The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure have been describedin relation to an Intelligent Television. However, to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure, the precedingdescription omits a number of known structures and devices. Thisomission is not to be construed as a limitation of the scopes of theclaims. Specific details are set forth to provide an understanding ofthe present disclosure. It should however be appreciated that thepresent disclosure may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond thespecific detail set forth herein.

Furthermore, while the exemplary aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations illustrated herein show the various components of thesystem collocated, certain components of the system can be locatedremotely, at distant portions of a distributed network, such as a LANand/or the Internet, or within a dedicated system. Thus, it should beappreciated, that the components of the system can be combined in to oneor more devices, or collocated on a particular node of a distributednetwork, such as an analog and/or digital telecommunications network, apacket-switch network, or a circuit-switched network. It will beappreciated from the preceding description, and for reasons ofcomputational efficiency, that the components of the system can bearranged at any location within a distributed network of componentswithout affecting the operation of the system. For example, the variouscomponents can be located in a switch such as a PBX and media server,gateway, in one or more communications devices, at one or more users'premises, or some combination thereof. Similarly, one or more functionalportions of the system could be distributed between a telecommunicationsdevice(s) and an associated computing device.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links connectingthe elements can be wired or wireless links, or any combination thereof,or any other known or later developed element(s) that is capable ofsupplying and/or communicating data to and from the connected elements.These wired or wireless links can also be secure links and may becapable of communicating encrypted information. Transmission media usedas links, for example, can be any suitable carrier for electricalsignals, including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, and maytake the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated duringradio-wave and infra-red data communications.

Also, while the flowcharts have been discussed and illustrated inrelation to a particular sequence of events, it should be appreciatedthat changes, additions, and omissions to this sequence can occurwithout materially affecting the operation of the disclosed embodiments,configuration, and aspects.

In another embodiment, the systems and methods of this disclosure can beimplemented in conjunction with a special purpose computer, a programmedmicroprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuitelement(s), an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signalprocessor, a hard-wired electronic or logic circuit such as discreteelement circuit, a programmable logic device or gate array such as PLD,PLA, FPGA, PAL, special purpose computer, any comparable means, or thelike. In general, any device(s) or means capable of implementing themethodology illustrated herein can be used to implement the variousaspects of this disclosure. Exemplary hardware that can be used for thedisclosed embodiments, configurations and aspects includes computers,handheld devices, telephones (e.g., cellular, Internet enabled, digital,analog, hybrids, and others), and other hardware known in the art. Someof these devices include processors (e.g., a single or multiplemicroprocessors), memory, nonvolatile storage, input devices, and outputdevices. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including,but not limited to, distributed processing or component/objectdistributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machineprocessing can also be constructed to implement the methods describedherein.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be readilyimplemented in conjunction with software using object or object-orientedsoftware development environments that provide portable source code thatcan be used on a variety of computer or workstation platforms.Alternatively, the disclosed system may be implemented partially orfully in hardware using standard logic circuits or VLSI design. Whethersoftware or hardware is used to implement the systems in accordance withthis disclosure is dependent on the speed and/or efficiency requirementsof the system, the particular function, and the particular software orhardware systems or microprocessor or microcomputer systems beingutilized.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be partiallyimplemented in software that can be stored on a storage medium, executedon programmed general-purpose computer with the cooperation of acontroller and memory, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, orthe like. In these instances, the systems and methods of this disclosurecan be implemented as program embedded on personal computer such as anapplet, JAVA® or CGI script, as a resource residing on a server orcomputer workstation, as a routine embedded in a dedicated measurementsystem, system component, or the like. The system can also beimplemented by physically incorporating the system and/or method into asoftware and/or hardware system.

Although the present disclosure describes components and functionsimplemented in the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations withreference to particular standards and protocols, the aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations are not limited to such standards andprotocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned hereinare in existence and are considered to be included in the presentdisclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein andother similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein areperiodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents included in thepresent disclosure.

The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/orapparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, includingvarious aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments,subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art willunderstand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments,and/or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. Thepresent disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absenceof items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence ofsuch items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g.,for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost ofimplementation.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosureto the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing DetailedDescription for example, various features of the disclosure are groupedtogether in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations forthe purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined inalternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than thosediscussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claims require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a singleforegoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, thefollowing claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodimentof the disclosure.

Moreover, though the description has included description of one or moreaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations andmodifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications arewithin the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill andknowledge of those in the art, after understanding the presentdisclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternativeaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted,including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures,functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not suchalternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publiclydedicate any patentable subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing video-on-demand (VOD) inan intelligent television, the method comprising: receiving, by aprocessor of the intelligent television, content for two or more itemsof VOD content; determining, by the processor, metadata characteristicsfor the two or more items of VOD content; creating, by the processor, afile for each item of VOD content; storing, by the processor, themetadata characteristics with the content in the file in a database foreach of the two or more items of VOD content; receiving, by theprocessor, a criteria to sort the two or more items of VOD content,wherein the criteria is associated with three or more metadatacharacteristics, wherein the metadata characteristics include one ormore of a location at which the content was created, a time at which thecontent was created, or a genre associated with the content; andproviding, by the processor, a first view of two or more thumbnailsassociated with each of the sorted two or more items of VOD contentbased on the metadata characteristic and criteria, wherein the firstview includes two or more thumbnails associated with the two or moreitems of VOD content, and wherein the first view is sorted based on atleast three of the metadata characteristics.
 2. The method as defined inclaim 1, further comprising determining if a user-defined criteriaexists for organizing the content.
 3. The method as defined in claim 2,further comprising: receiving a user-defined criteria; and storing thereceived user-defined criteria.
 4. The method as defined in claim 3,further comprising sorting the two or more items of VOD content based onthe received user-defined criteria.
 5. The method as defined in claim 4,further comprising providing a second view of the content based on thesort of the two or more items of VOD content with the receiveduser-defined criteria.
 6. The method as defined in claim 5, wherein theuser-defined criteria include one or more of a favorite or adult-onlydesignation.
 7. An intelligent television system comprising: a memoryoperable to store video-on-demand (VOD) content; and a processor incommunication with the memory, the processor that: executes a VOD dataservice that: receives content for two or more items of VOD content;determines metadata characteristics for the two or more items of VODcontent; creates a file for each item of VOD content; stores themetadata characteristics with the content in the file for each of thetwo or more items of VOD content; and receives a criteria to sort thetwo or more items of VOD content, wherein the criteria is associatedwith three or more metadata characteristics, wherein the metadatacharacteristics include one or more of a location at which the contentwas created, a time at which the content was created, or a genreassociated with the content; and executes a user interface applicationin communication with the VOD data service, the user interfaceapplication operable to provide a first view of two or more thumbnailsassociated with each of the two or more items of VOD content based onthe metadata characteristic and the criteria, wherein the first viewincludes two or more thumbnails associated with the two or more items ofVOD content, and wherein the first view is sorted based on at leastthree of the metadata characteristics.
 8. The intelligent televisionsystem as defined in claim 7, wherein each metadata characteristic is ofa different type.
 9. The intelligent television system as defined inclaim 8, wherein each type of metadata characteristic has two or morevalues.
 10. The intelligent television system as defined in claim 9,wherein the VOD data service is further operable to: determine if auser-defined criteria exists for organizing the content; and sort thetwo or more items of VOD content based on the received user-definedcriteria.
 11. The intelligent television system as defined in claim 10,wherein the user-defined criteria include one or more of a favorite oradult-only designation.
 12. A non-transitory computer readable mediumhaving stored thereon processor executable instructions that cause acomputing system to execute a method, the instructions comprising:instructions to receive two or more items of content for VOD;instructions to determine metadata characteristics for the two or moreitems of VOD content; instructions to create a file for each item of VODcontent; instructions to store the metadata characteristics with thecontent in the file for each of the two or more items of VOD content,wherein the metadata characteristics includes a thumbnail for each ofthe two or more items of VOD content; and instructions to sort the twoor more items of VOD content based on three or more metadatacharacteristics, wherein the metadata characteristics include one ormore of a location at which the content was created, a time at which thecontent was created, or a genre associated with the content; andinstructions to provide a first view of the thumbnails associated withthe sorted two or more items of VOD content, wherein the first viewincludes two or more thumbnails associated with the two or more items ofVOD content, and wherein the first view is sorted based on at leastthree of the metadata characteristics.
 13. The computer readable mediumas defined in claim 12, wherein each metadata characteristic is of adifferent type.
 14. The computer readable medium as defined in claim 13,wherein each type of metadata characteristic has two or more values. 15.The computer readable medium as defined in claim 14, further comprisinginstructions to: determine if a user-defined criteria exists fororganizing the two or more items of VOD content; and sort the two ormore items of VOD content based on the received user-defined criteria.16. The computer readable medium as defined in claim 15, wherein theuser-defined criteria include one or more of a favorite or adult-onlydesignation.